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This elegant city blends old and new, from century-old cafes to a lively underground bar culture and a new culinary scene.
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36 Hours: 36 Hours in Buenos AiresNYT > Travel9 Oct 2015 | 11:41 am
Texas's German Roots: New BraunfelsIntelligent Travel9 Oct 2015 | 1:23 pm"Do you speak German?," I ask. "Un poquito." Joyce is minding the register at the oldest bakery in Texas, Naegelin's. Opened in 1868, the establishment remains a landmark in downtown New Braunfels—and a quirky reminder of the Lone Star State's German roots. Around Joyce are bins brimming with traditional German goodies: Lebkuchen cookies, ornately embossed Springerle biscuits, and sweet, croissant-like pretzels laced with pecans and drizzled with icing. "Texas pecans," she adds as a point of clarification. I buy one. It's hard to imagine a better place to spend a…
TSA Week in Review: 53 Firearms Discovered This Week in Carry-on BagsThe TSA Blog2 Oct 2015 | 8:19 pm<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--> 53 firearms were discovered this week in carry-on bags around the nation. Of the 53 firearms discovered, 48 were loaded and 17 had a round chambered. All of the
5 places in the Sierra to beat the heat and see fall colors this weekendLA Times9 Oct 2015 | 8:15 amWith Los Angeles temperatures forecast in the high 90s this weekend, a trip to the Eastern Sierra and points north offers a double bonus: cooler temperatures and beautiful fall colors. John Poimiroo of California Fall Color reports that trees are at their best right now at elevations of 8,500 feet...
6 Places You'll Find Oktoberfest in HawaiiHawaii Vacation Blog9 Oct 2015 | 12:47 pmFewer than 100,000 people in Hawaii claim German heritage, but that doesn't mean you can't find a good Oktoberfest party while you're The post 6 Places You'll Find Oktoberfest in Hawaii appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.
NYT > Travel
36 Hours: 36 Hours in Buenos Aires9 Oct 2015 | 11:41 amThis elegant city blends old and new, from century-old cafes to a lively underground bar culture and a new culinary scene.
On Dominica, a Carnival Celebration as It Was Meant to Be9 Oct 2015 | 11:13 amThe island's Carnival stays true to its 18th-century roots: a European pre-Lent bacchanal, co-opted by slaves mimicking their colonizers and infusing the festivities with West African folklore.
Goats Rule on the Island of Anguilla9 Oct 2015 | 11:10 amAdventurers, foragers and status symbols, the animals claim the land as their own.
On Tobago, Mermen Come Calling9 Oct 2015 | 11:00 amEach passing colonial power introduced an element of folklore to Tobago, including jumbies, jabless, fairy maids and kingly mermen.
Pursuits: An Eco-Tour of Guatemala's Rio Dulce Region9 Oct 2015 | 8:27 amConservation groups lead a trek into a rich ecosystem in Guatemala that is threatened by development.
Intelligent Travel
Texas's German Roots: New Braunfels9 Oct 2015 | 1:23 pm"Do you speak German?," I ask. "Un poquito." Joyce is minding the register at the oldest bakery in Texas, Naegelin's. Opened in 1868, the establishment remains a landmark in downtown New Braunfels—and a quirky reminder of the Lone Star State's German roots. Around Joyce are bins brimming with traditional German goodies: Lebkuchen cookies, ornately embossed Springerle biscuits, and sweet, croissant-like pretzels laced with pecans and drizzled with icing. "Texas pecans," she adds as a point of clarification. I buy one. It's hard to imagine a better place to spend a spare day in central Texas. New Braunfels was founded partway between San Antonio and Austin in 1845 by a German prince...
Your Shot of the Month: Yatra in India9 Oct 2015 | 5:23 amHindu pilgrims form a swirl of color in the streets of Pandharpur during a yatra, or religious procession. "Every year, thousands of devotees walk dozens of miles to this Indian holy town southeast of Mumbai to pay homage to the deity Vithoba, a regional incarnation of the god Vishnu," says Arvind Ramteke, a photographer based in Mumbai. "Here they flow around a shrine dedicated to the god Hanuman, who often is portrayed as a blue monkey, on their way through town to the Vithoba Temple, where they will honor representations of Vithoba and other deities." "A number of things grabbed me in this image, including the vivid hues and sense of motion," says Traveler's former director of photography Dan...
On Safari in North America8 Oct 2015 | 2:43 pmDiscard the idea that you have to be in Africa to go on safari. Instead, head for the "Serengeti of North America"—the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—which is spread across the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks form the heart of this 34,375-square-mile swath, which packs in more wildlife than anywhere else in the lower 48 states and represents one of the last large, nearly intact temperate ecosystems in the world. Here, wild nature still reigns. Grizzly bears lumber through willow flats, wolf howls echo across misty morning air, wild bison kick up prairie dust, and birds of prey soar on puffs of wind. "There are animals everywhere [in the...
Where to Find Traditional Eats in Modern Macau7 Oct 2015 | 11:44 amFood is an integral part of culture. But what happens when cultures change, and change rapidly, as is the case with Macau? The Macau Peninsula has long been influenced by the Portuguese, who established a trading port there in the mid-16th century. In fact, it was a proper colony from 1887 up until 1999, when the Europeans transferred sovereignty back to China—but the region's unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese roots rarely comes up when people talk about traveling to Macau. These days, most people know Macau as the "Vegas of the East," owing to the fact that it's currently one of two places under Chinese rule where gambling is legal (the second being neighboring Hong Kong, China's other special...
I Heart My City: Anson's Edinburgh7 Oct 2015 | 10:10 amAnson Clark was born in northern Scotland, but has been living in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh since 2000. His job takes him around the world, but he's always happy to be back in his home city, even if it's raining (again). For Anson, Edinburgh, "a city surrounding a castle built centuries ago on an extinct volcano," is a place of contrast. "Choose the New Town or the Old Town, parks or parties," he says. "It's all things to all people." Always on the hunt for new things to love about Edinburgh, Anson shares his insider intel on Spotted by Locals. Here are a few of his favorite things about Scotland's venerable—and often irreverent—capital city. Edinburgh Is My City When someone...
The TSA Blog
TSA Week in Review: 53 Firearms Discovered This Week in Carry-on Bags2 Oct 2015 | 8:19 pm<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--> 53 firearms were discovered this week in carry-on bags around the nation. Of the 53 firearms discovered, 48 were loaded and 17 had a round chambered. All of the
TSA Week in Review: 64 Firearms Discovered This Week in Carry-on Bags (55 Loaded)25 Sep 2015 | 9:24 pm64 firearms were discovered this week in carry-on bags around the nation. Of the 64 firearms discovered, 55 were loaded and 22 had a round chambered. All of the firearms pictured here were discovered this week. See a complete list below. Inert Ordnance and Grenades etc. – We continue to find inert grenades and other weaponry on a weekly basis. Keep in mind that if an item looks like a real
TSA Week in Review: Record 67 Firearms Discovered in Carry-on Bags This Week (56 Loaded)18 Sep 2015 | 7:25 pm<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> A record number of 67 firearms were discovered this week in carry-on bags around the nation. The previous record of 65 firearms was set in 2013. Of the 67 firearms discovered, 56 were loaded and 26 had a round chambered. All of the firearms pictured here were discovered this week. See a complete list below. <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0
TSA Week in Review: 41 Firearms, Concealed Items and More14 Sep 2015 | 3:38 pm<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> 41 Firearms Discovered This Week– Of the 41 firearms discovered, 36 were loaded and 15 had a round chambered. The firearm pictured here was discovered in a carry-on bag at AUS. <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
TSA Labor Day Travel Tips 20156 Sep 2015 | 5:11 pmLabor Day is quickly approaching! Whatever it is you're doing for the holiday, if you're traveling by commercial aircraft, here are some tips and links that will help get you on your way. Preparing for travel can be stressful, but it doesn't need to be. Learn travel tips for your next flight with these short videos. Planning ahead and packing properly can
LA Times
5 places in the Sierra to beat the heat and see fall colors this weekend9 Oct 2015 | 8:15 amWith Los Angeles temperatures forecast in the high 90s this weekend, a trip to the Eastern Sierra and points north offers a double bonus: cooler temperatures and beautiful fall colors. John Poimiroo of California Fall Color reports that trees are at their best right now at elevations of 8,500 feet...
Norwegian Escape breaks with tradition to pick rapper Pitbull as godfather9 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amAren't cruise ships usually christened by godmothers? Yes, but Pitbull has pulled off a coup by being named to christen and perform at the rollout of Norwegian Cruise Line's biggest, baddest ship to hit the sea. The Miami rapper, a.k.a. Armando Christian Perez, just finished a stint in Las Vegas....
Tune up your mind and body with massages and yoga in Mexico9 Oct 2015 | 7:33 amReady to drop out, defuse and detox? A health and wellness yoga retreat in Tulum, Mexico, offers a sandy, white beach, day tours, healthy activities and a weight-loss program focused on eliminating stress and tuning up mind and body. Amansala Eco-chic Resort and Retreat, in the Yucatan region...
Blue Angels to show off their moves in free air show over Oahu9 Oct 2015 | 7:16 amBoth in the sky and on the ground, thrills will abound during displays of military might just 20 miles from the beaches of Waikiki. On the opposite side of Oahu, the Kaneohe Bay Air Show will delight the crowds Oct. 17-18. Admission to the spectacle at Marine Corps Base Hawaii is free. The stellar...
LAX to Toronto and back for $368? Yes, through early February9 Oct 2015 | 6:30 amDelta is offering a $368 round-trip fare to Toronto that includes all taxes and fees and is offered through Feb. 10. It is subject to availability and must be bought at least seven days in advance. It is for travel Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Info: (800) 221-1212, www.delta.com. Source:...
Hawaii Vacation Blog
6 Places You'll Find Oktoberfest in Hawaii9 Oct 2015 | 12:47 pmFewer than 100,000 people in Hawaii claim German heritage, but that doesn't mean you can't find a good Oktoberfest party while you're The post 6 Places You'll Find Oktoberfest in Hawaii appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.
Treat Yourself to "The Taste of Hilo" in Hawaii7 Oct 2015 | 1:52 pmWhen you visit Hawaii, it can be tough to experience all the flavors of the islands during your stay, especially if your The post Treat Yourself to "The Taste of Hilo" in Hawaii appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.
5 Reasons To Stop By Lahaina Plantation Days on Maui5 Oct 2015 | 2:44 pmWhen you visit spectacular Maui, with its sweeping vistas and sprawling resorts, it may be hard to imagine the island was once The post 5 Reasons To Stop By Lahaina Plantation Days on Maui appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.
Top 15 Hawaii Resorts Named "World's Best"3 Oct 2015 | 7:33 pmWith so many extraodinary resorts to choose from, planning your perfect Hawaii vacation can seem a bit overwhelming at times. So, the The post Top 15 Hawaii Resorts Named "World's Best" appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.
A "Oui" Bit of Paris in Hawaii1 Oct 2015 | 3:17 pmHawaii may be halfway around the world from Europe, but that doesn't mean that French cuisine in Hawaii isn't alive and well. The post A "Oui" Bit of Paris in Hawaii appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.
Matador Network » Matador Network
The biggest threat to West Africa's traditional fisheries might be your appetite9 Oct 2015 | 1:00 pmSamba Diallo, 42, a fisherman in Nouakchott, Mauritania, travels more than 20 miles out into the Atlantic on his traditional wooden boat known as a "pirogue" in order to catch fish. Photo: Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania — On a beach jammed with pirogues, the brightly painted wooden boats of West Africa, a crew of fishermen sing as they haul their vessel from the sea: "Thanks to God we have returned alive." While Mauritania is almost entirely a desert country, along its coast are some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. But canoe-like pirogues are little match for the enormous European and Asian trawlers that also ply these waters, pulling enormous hauls of fish and other...
Ice Skating the John Muir Trail9 Oct 2015 | 12:00 pmFollow Matador on Vimeo Follow Matador on YouTube Although winter might not seem like the best time of the year to be out in California's high Sierra, some have found a way to enjoy the area all year long, even when the temperatures drop. Two "old guys" (as they call themselves) found the perfect ice on Topsy Turvy Lake and decided to take out their skates for some cold outdoor adventure. It's probably the best decision they made that winter.
survive a hangover around the world9 Oct 2015 | 11:00 amIf you enjoy traveling and drinking, you probably have suffered – or will at some point suffer – a debilitating hangover in a foreign country. Hangovers do not discriminate on the basis of race or creed: it matters not whether you are drinking Napa Valley merlot, delicious Belgian microbrews or Vietnamese rice wine (although the latter will almost certainly give you the worst headache). Hangovers are all the more painful for being completely self-inflicted. Let the guilt flow through you. While throbbing headaches and delicate stomachs are universal, the ways in which different cultures talk about hangovers and try to fix them varies considerably. Bearing in mind American comedian Robert Benchley's...
16 differences between my Portuguese mom and my English mummy9 Oct 2015 | 10:00 amPhoto: Claire Trish 1. In my Portuguese mom's kitchen there is potato knife waiting for me on the worktop when she is cooking, while my English mummy hangs an invisible "stay away from my kitchen" sign on the door. But they both enjoy seeing their children eating the food they have cooked. 2. My Portuguese mom loves to wear her colourful trousers. My English mummy will never leave the house without a dark skirt. But both of them would consider spending a day at a nudist beach. 3. My Portuguese mom dreams of the days when she could race me down the beach. My English mummy presses the sports channel button and watches others running. But both of them believe someone should run. 4. My Portuguese...
What Mexican food are you?9 Oct 2015 | 9:00 amFeatured photo: Gabriel Farrell
Wanderlust and Lipstick
WanderWorld Foundation14 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amFor nearly as long as WanderTours has been offering tours, we've been donating to organizations located in the countries where our tours run. The donations have all been made on behalf of our tour groups but they come directly from WanderTours. I am so excited to announce that we (myself and a small board of directors), have just received word that we've been granted non-profit 501(c)(3) status for the WanderWorld Foundation. The WWF will be the non-profit arm of WanderTours and Wanderlust and Lipstick. With the establishment of the WanderWorld Foundation, our goal is to make donating to charities we support abroad not only easier for our tour participants but also tax-deductible! Over the past six years,...
Essentials for Running ~ Road ID11 Sep 2015 | 10:45 amIt's funny. I've been wanting to get this review/mention about Road ID up on the blog for a long time but have, frankly, been sidetracked with a lot of other things and it's been lower down on the priority list (sorry, Road ID folks!). But after publishing yesterday's post about running (and travel) and how important it is to be tuned into your environment, several people contacted me about how much they love their Road ID paraphernalia, so I knew the time was perfect to talk about this essential item that I always run with. Let me first wind back the clock. I have an otherwise healthy friend who had a heart attack at 40 while running around Greenlake, a very popular three-mile walking/running/biking route...
Your Sixth Sense – A Matter of Life and Death?10 Sep 2015 | 10:08 amThis summer I went to Jon's family reunion in Watertown, New York, just about as far north in NY as you can get without being in Canada. Watertown's got some charm to it. It's home to an army base, Fort Drum, and sees lots of Canadian who come for the shopping deals. There are big chain stores and restaurants but also lots of independent cafes, restaurants, bakeries and other businesses that can hold their own. We go every couple of years to catch up with Jon's mom, siblings and extended family. Sometimes we stay with family, sometimes we rent a house. This year we stayed in a hotel that was centrally located to restaurants, shops and an amazing vegetarian grocery store/cafe. Being so centrally located...
The Snowman Trek ~ Long-awaited Video9 Sep 2015 | 7:11 amThis has been a long time in coming but, finally, here's the big unveil of the Snowman Trek video from our time in Bhutan last year… Huge thanks to our sponsors, Expedia and XShot, for making the journey and video possible. Big kudos to Chris Staudinger for doing an excellent job on editing this amazing video. And big thanks to my better half, Jon, for contributing excellent and beautiful footage. OK, truth. Doesn't this make you want to do now DO the Snowman Trek yourself?? Be Bold, Beth Want to stay up-to-date on all things Wanderlust? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or RSS/email. The post The Snowman Trek ~ Long-awaited Video appeared first on Wanderlust and Lipstick.
Klymit V2 Sleeping Pad ~ WanderGear Wednesday2 Sep 2015 | 9:15 amLooking back, it's a little embarrassing to think about the sleeping pad I brought with me on the Snowman Trek last year. It was a pad I had used many times while car camping in the Pacific Northwest and it had served me well. It was one of those large inflatable pads that you can buy at an Army/Navy store. It worked well, but the part that I kick myself about is how much precious space it took up in my duffel bag. Fast forward a few months. When I was walking around the convention center floor at the Outdoor Retailer Show earlier this year, I passed by the booth for Klymit. What caught my eye were the unique designs of their sleeping pads. When I looked closer, I realized these sleeping pads could squeeze...
2016 Spring Break Party Cruises Announced7 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amThe 7th Annual College Spring Break Party Cruises are now open for bookings! Carolina Nightlife, AAT and CruiseDeals.com are teaming again for the largest 2016 College Spring Break Cruises. Looking for a Spring Break Cruise LOADED with college students? You found it! The last 6 years, we've had the largest group of college students at sea. Want to get an idea of how awesome the Spring Break Party Cruises are – See a few of the 2015 Spring Break Photos below. 2016 College Spring Break Cruises: March 7th – 12th, 2016 or March 12th – 17th, 2016 Our college spring break cruise is on the LARGEST ship we've ever been on for the Carolina Nightlife Spring Break Party Cruise. Plus, we have an...
Tahiti French Polynesia Aerial Surfing Video19 Sep 2015 | 8:25 amIf you are a subscriber, you know my love of Aerial Videography and that I'm a big believer that drone & high-quality compact camera's will make the biggest impact on the future travel & destination content creation. Today, I found my new favorite… leave it to Surfing Magazine to create the best drone surfing video ever. BTW, you do need not to be a surfing fan for this video to be worth every second of your time: Surfing Magazine Tahiti Surfing Video � CLICK TO SHARE on FACEBOOK � �
Top 4 Upcoming Luxury South America Cruises1 Sep 2015 | 7:38 amFor adventure, romance and elegance, there's nothing like a luxury cruise. These outstanding trips invite you to uncover the mysteries of South America. 66-night Circle South America Silversea Cruises Departing January 15, 2016 For 66 days, you'll be captivated by this unique and colorful continent. The 540-passenger Silver Spirit, sailing from Fort Lauderdale, will provide a heavy dose of pampering in the Caribbean before the excitement of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. You'll cross the Panama Canal, and be awed by the majesty of the Andes rising above Chilean fjords. Buenos Aires is just one of many exciting ports of call. The ship features six restaurants, a salon and a first-rate spa, all in classic...
Hurricane Danny Cruise Impacts – 201521 Aug 2015 | 8:16 am[I will keep this page updated with Hurricane Danny cruise impacts – just bookmark it and scroll down to the bottom] UPDATED IMPACTS BELOW at 8:15 AM 8/24/15 Hurricane Danny is the first 2015 hurricane predicted to make landfall in the Caribbean which means there could be some impacts to cruise itineraries caused by the storm. We cruised last week on the Freedom of the Seas – we planned it knowing that it was Hurricane Season. The great part of cruise vacations vs. land based vacations during hurricane season is that a cruise can navigate around the storms. Many times when there is an active hurricane in the Caribbean cruise itineraries will change, but that is better than the whole vacation being...
Caribbean Seaweed Problem Update20 Aug 2015 | 11:12 amLast week, my family went on a 7-night Caribbean Cruise on board the Freedom of the Seas. Prior to leaving, I got a little concerned by all of the reports about a growing Caribbean Seaweed Problem or as Yahoo! Travel called it a 'Caribbean Seaweed Invasion' This cruise was my nieces first cruise and I did not want it to be ruined by Seaweed. So, I wrote a blog post prior to departing asking cruisers if they'd seen a lot of seaweed on their recent cruises. I got a lot of response on Facebook where I learned that Mexico is having the most issues. I did get a few responses that a couple of beaches on St Maarten & Tortola were having seaweed issues. My First Hand Caribbean Seaweed Report I said I would report...
Europe a la Carte Travel Blog
The Pineapple Folly near Airth, Scotland7 Oct 2015 | 10:57 pmThe Pineapple is a folly. It was built in 1761 by the 4th Earl of Dunmore as a gift to his wife, from which she could view the estate's walled garden. It's located up a pot-holed access road off the A905 to the west of the village of Airth. It was gifted to the National Trust by […]
Pickering's Gin Made in the Summerhall Distillery Edinburgh4 Oct 2015 | 11:13 pmWe visited Summerhall with our son Gary during the Edinburgh Open Doors weekend in late September. Until 2011, Summerhall was home to the Royal Dick Veterinary School. I have family connections with the Vet School; my brother studied there and my husband worked there. I already knew that Summerhall has been transformed into a creative […]
Marseille's Beautiful Beaches1 Oct 2015 | 4:56 amI wasn't expecting the beaches in the French city of Marseille to be so beautiful. In fact the main reason that we went there was that our son Gary wanted to see the Bowl skate park, located at Plage Vieille Chapelle, which was featured in some skateboarding games he'd played when he was younger. As often […]
Cambuskenneth Abbey in Stirling, Scotland28 Sep 2015 | 12:11 amCambuskenneth Abbey is located by the River Forth in the outskirts of Stirling. If you visit by car, you need to head in the Alloa direction on the A907 and look our for the turn off to Cambuskenneth. However, it's' possible to visit Cambuskenneth Abbey on foot from Stirling city centre. If you head down […]
Discovering Picardy in Northern France24 Sep 2015 | 6:30 amThe region of Picardy lies in the north of France. It stretches from the Channel coastline, on the estuary of the River Somme and west to the border with southern Belgium. Its location, a one hour drive from Calais, makes it an ideal location for a short break from the UK. The new Esprit de […]
Art of Non-Conformity
Three Days of Learning & Community: Last Weekend at Pioneer Nation9 Oct 2015 | 8:44 amWe did it! Last weekend I worked with a small and dedicated team to produce our second-ever Pioneer Nation, a gathering of independent entrepreneurs. For the first time in any big event we've done, we took everyone onsite for the entire experience. The event was held at The Resort at the Mountain, a scenic setting near Mount Hood, an hour's drive from Portland. Events are a ton of work, but they can also be hugely rewarding. Once again I felt honored and inspired to be surrounded by great people. You can see 600+ other photos here. We're not yet sure when the next Pioneer Nation will be, but WDS will return in August 2016. Over the next few weeks, we'll be releasing speaker videos from...
Warning Signs That Your Life Lacks a Consistent Vision7 Oct 2015 | 7:45 amYou don't know what to do at the start of the day. External events determine how you schedule and spend your time. Sure, you eventually jump into something, but your priorities are not your own. You find yourself responding more than initiating. You are preoccupied with tactics and short-term opportunities. Instead of seeing the long-term goal, you see only 2-3 steps ahead. You are a tactician instead of a strategist, in other words. There is no master plan. You are disillusioned with the things that used to bring you joy. What once made you happy is no longer sufficient. You do the same things you used to, but without the same feelings of anticipation and enjoyment. You are envious of other people's...
"Everyone Gets a Call to Adventure": On the Road with Erin McElroy6 Oct 2015 | 6:12 amThis is a traveler case study. (Read others or nominate yourself.) Erin McElroy decided to take an extended trip to one of the passionate places she could think of: Argentina. Here are some of her stories from the road. Introduce yourself! Erin here, born and raised in Chicago, but consider Colorado as home (when I am stateside). I geek out on personal transformation, following passions and the transformative power of nature, adventure and travel. I believe the hero's journey is possible for anyone; that we all get a "call to adventure," and have the innate desire and responsibility to do something great. I call myself a writer, adventurer, and change-maker. I work with people one-on-one and in...
The Best Travel Hacking Advice for People Who Can't Get Credit Cards5 Oct 2015 | 6:30 amI write about travel hacking a lot on the blog (and much more in the Cartel), and I always try to point people to the best available deals and opportunities. Some of these opportunities are for credit card signup bonuses, something I've been experimenting with for years, ever since first applying for 13 cards of my own on the same day way back in 2009. Of course, not everyone is able or eligible to get these bonuses—so what else is out there? There's actually a ton of different opportunities. Credit cards are an easy way to earn a big boost of miles and points in many different programs, but they certainly aren't the only way. First, Understand Why Card Products Are So Popular In the past few...
Only Floss the Teeth You Want to Keep1 Oct 2015 | 6:15 amThat's what dentists tell you. You don't need to floss all your teeth—just the ones you need to keep. When it comes to your business, your life, or your relationships, a similar principle applies. You don't have to pay attention to everything and everyone. But you do have to pay attention to what matters most. It may help to identify some priorities. In my business I track only two metrics on a consistent basis: 1. Email subscribers 2. Product sales My thinking is that if these things are going along okay, everything else will fall into place. I don't check other statistics or track anything else. Checking my bank accounts will not make more money. This year I added a "relationship metric": Every...
TripAdvisor Insights
Join TripAdvisor at ITB Asia6 Oct 2015 | 10:26 amAre you attending ITB Asia – the international event for Asia Pacific's leading travel companies? If so, don't forget to stop by the TripAdvisor stand or one of our expert seminars.
[Research] Key Insights from "Using Guest Reviews to Pave the Path to Greater Engagement"31 Aug 2015 | 1:06 pmAtmosphere Research Group, an independent travel industry research firm, in partnership with TripAdvisor, has released a new report on the correlations between hotel engagement and TripAdvisor performance.
5 steps to maximize Business Listing success20 Aug 2015 | 4:41 amWant to make the most of your Business Listings subscription? Here are five easy ways to get more direct bookings for your accommodation.
Business Listings Success Checklist: Access Your Property Dashboard19 Aug 2015 | 1:39 pmAbout your Property Dashboard
Business Listings Success Checklist: Post an Announcement19 Aug 2015 | 4:23 amWith Business Listings, you have multiple opportunities to stand out from the crowd on TripAdvisor.
Hawaii Vacation Advice - GoVisitHawaii.com
Aloha Friday Photo: Beautiful Hanalei Bay9 Oct 2015 | 6:55 amMahalo to April Tellez Benoit from San Jose, California for sharing this beautiful photo with us for Aloha Friday Photos. April's photo is of Hanalei Bay on Kauai.As April shared this photo, she said, "This is one of my favorite places on the island of Kauai and was taken during our trip last Nov. Can't wait to go back in March! It's our yearly vacation destination and someday we'll retire there!"Hanalei Bay is also one of our favorite places on Kauai. It's almost unbelievably beautiful.Happy Aloha Friday!© Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words is permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com....
Hawaii vacation deals & news: October 8, 20158 Oct 2015 | 10:53 am* Per the Honolulu Star Advertiser, the first humpback whale of the season has been spotted. NOAA researchers discovered this early arrival off Niihau on September 29. Congratulations to Marco and Laura of Italy for having the closest guess of the first reported arrival contest. They must really be in tune with the humpbacks as this is their second time winning our annual contest. While we're on this topic, we should note that even though we have this first signal of the humpback whale season, the season doesn't get into full swing until late December, with the peak of the season is from January through March.* LivingSocial has a special 10% off promotion for their travel escapes with promo code ESCAPE10....
Hawaii (Big) Island Weather Guide6 Oct 2015 | 10:22 amThe diverse climates of Hawaii make this island so fascinating to visit. Within a short drive you can travel from a very arid area to a lush, tropical rainforest. In fact we describe one of our favorite scenic drives that travels through these amazing climate extremes.Temperatures on Hawaii, the Big IslandDue to Hawaii's proximity to the equator, there's very little variation in temperatures throughout the year. In Kona, daytime high average in the upper 80°s during the summer months. While the average winter high temperatures only drop to the lower 80°s. Evening temperatures range from mid-60°s in winter to lower 70°s in the summer.Kona average temperature data sourced from Weather.com.While the above...
Aloha Friday Photo: Kauai Coastal Scene with a Daydream2 Oct 2015 | 7:55 amMahalo to Kristy Foutch-Hecht for sharing this this beautiful Kauai coastal view with us for Aloha Friday Photos. Here's how Kristy described this scene:The ocean was rough, the wind was strong, we walked along the edges until we came to this spot and I caught my daughter soaking it all in! We envisioned our house back in the flat open area and how happy and simply we'd live. An unforgettable time!I think we can all appreciate Kristy's daydream of having a home with this view. Right?Happy Aloha Friday! © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words is permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com....
Maui Weather Guide29 Sep 2015 | 10:47 amWhat's the weather like on Maui? We'll cover all the important weather questions to help you get to know this amazing Hawaiian island.Maui TemperaturesThe following chart shows the average monthly high and low temperatures. The data was collected from the airport in Kahului (OGG) which is fairly representative of the main beach resort areas.Maui temperature chart with data sourced from Weather.comMaui's weather is warm throughout the year. Even in the thick of the "cold" winter months, tropical flowers flourish with blooms. In fact, the photo at the top of this guide was taken in February.The coldest months of January and February average 81°F for daytime high temperatures while the evenings chill off to...
Happy Hotelier
Flight of the Storks21 Sep 2015 | 2:23 amI've visited two stork villages in Austria this summer. Before introducing them to you here, a documentary about their treks to and from Africa. They ave an Eastern and a western route. Also storks are part of the cote of arms of the city of The Hague, the place where I live. Last update: Monday, September 21, 2015Flight of the Storks is a post from: Happy Hotelier. Would you like to subscribe to my newsfeed, or my weekly newsletter?
Speeding RWS 70 – Sail AMS 2015 – 123 Aug 2015 | 8:09 amIn the early morning of Wednesday, August 19, 2015 I boarded a typical Dutch steel motor yacht which was rented by a friend who had invited 3 couples for a tour from Zaandam to IJmuiden and back in order to see the parade of the Tall Ships participating in the Sail Amsterdam 2015 event. From 8.00 hr on to 10.00 hr the Noordzeekanaal would be saileable from Amsterdam To IJmuiden only and the other way around from 10.00 hr till approximately 16.00 hr it would be one way traffic from IJmuiden to Amsterdam. No freight was allowed at all during the parade. Directions were given that the absolute speed limit would be 6 km/hr for everyone. RWS 70 is a patrol vessel of Rijkswaterstaat. Sometimes Rijkswaterstaat is...
New Banner6 Aug 2015 | 6:45 amThe photo "Surfing in Scheveningen" gets a lot of views on Flickr. Therefor I've used it as my new banner. It was not easy to take the photo as the wind tried to pull the camera from my hands and was blowing so hard it was almost impossible to take a steady shot. Therefor I've had to crank up the iso value a lot to be able to have a decent short shutter time to compensate for my moving camera. Last update: Friday, August 7, 2015New Banner is a post from: Happy Hotelier. Would you like to subscribe to my newsfeed, or my weekly newsletter?
Seabourn Odyssey in Venice31 Jul 2015 | 3:37 pmRecently I've been in Venice for the 2015 Biennial. But also I have taken various photo's of Cruise ships and find it interesting to do some research on the ships and the cruise companies and share it with my readers. Venice is one of the top Cruise destination. As far as I can tell it can have up to 10 large cruise ships moored. Usually they do Venice in one day and sail on. They dwarf the old city when they are heading to the Adriatic. I'm not a cruising type myself, as I become claustrophobic with too many people on a ship. Especially embarking and debarking when they are anchored in stead of moored would make me crazy. I don't like the passive way of traveling with huge ships. I'm rather my own...
10 Questions for Carol Perehudoff – Interview 4927 Jul 2015 | 2:29 amI have asked Carol Perehudoff of Wandering Carol, a real funny Luxury Travel Blog, my 10 questions: Carol and hubby at the Gritti Palace Hotel in Venice 1) Who Are you? I'm Carol Perehudoff, aka Wandering Carol, at WanderingCarol.com – a luxury travel blog for those who love to laugh. A former freelance travel columnist with the Toronto Star, I've written for many publications such as the Chicago Tribune, Royal Wings and enRoute Magazine, and was voted a Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. 2) What do you like about what you do? Traveling and writing! What could be a better combination? I once read on a postcard: "She was often gripped with a desire to be elsewhere,"...
Everything Everywhere Travel Blog
Japanese Foot Bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam7 Oct 2015 | 7:37 pmJapanese Foot Bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam
Mushing Along the Yukon River Outside Dawson City, Yukon6 Oct 2015 | 7:26 pmMushing Along the Yukon River Outside Dawson City, Yukon
View of the Dead Sea From the Top of Masada, Israel5 Oct 2015 | 8:17 amView of the Dead Sea From the Top of Masada, Israel Camera NIKON D200 ISO 200 Focal Length 18mm Aperture f/8.0 Exposure Time 1/8000
Spices for Sale in a Market in Banjul, Gambia4 Oct 2015 | 5:19 amSpices for Sale in a Market in Banjul, Gambia Camera NIKON D300S ISO 640 Focal Length 18mm Aperture f/3.5 Exposure Time 1/320
Two Bald Eagles Nesting in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota3 Oct 2015 | 7:19 amTwo Bald Eagles Nesting in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota Camera NIKON D300S ISO 200 Focal Length 200mm Aperture f/5.6 Exposure Time 1/640
Photo of the Moment: Storm Over Grand Isle, Louisiana7 Oct 2015 | 7:17 amJoin Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook. � Darrell Miller The post Photo of the Moment: Storm Over Grand Isle, Louisiana appeared first on Vagabondish.
(At Least) 5 Reasons Why Albuquerque Is America's Coolest City for Geek Travelers14 Sep 2015 | 11:05 amJoin Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook. New Mexico in general and the area around Albuquerque, in particular, have been a haven for geeky travelers long before Heisenberg ever "graduated" from high school chemistry to hardcore "cooking". If you're a nerd through-and-through — someone who appreciates a good nuclear museum or the physics behind hot air ballooning, ABQ (as it's known to locals) should be at the top of your bucket list. Here are just five reasons why … #1: Hot Air Ballooning You probably already know that Albuquerque is the officially unofficial world hub for all things hot air ballooning. For three very good reasons. Firstly, the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is perhaps...
3rdHome Is the World's Most Luxurious Home Swap Site (That You've Never Heard of)10 Sep 2015 | 2:26 pmJoin Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook. Home swaps are nothing new. We wrote about them way back when in the Dark Ages of travel almost before Twitter and Instagram (yes, kids, there really was such a time). The gist is simple: <ul> <li>You own a home in Destination X</li> <li>You'd like to vacation in Destination Z</li> <li>Someone in Destination Z also owns a home</li> <li>They'd like to vacation in your hometown (Destination X)</li> <li>You both agree to exchange stays at each other's homes for a predetermined period of time</li> </ul> Sounds simple enough and, on paper, it is. This quid pro quo scenario typically provides both parties with free accommodations. In the real world, however, the probability of matching up these two theoretical parties — who...
The "Best" One-Star Yelp Reviews of National Parks29 Aug 2015 | 5:21 amJoin Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook. I'm endlessly fascinated by really, really bad reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, etc. More specifically: undeserved one-star reviews, especially at places like The Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park. This recent article from Mother Jones doesn't disappoint. A sample: Zion National Park Zion National Park � Cyril Fluck "Scenery is grand and huge and up in the air and distant and impersonal." ?! Talk about missing the point. The post The "Best" One-Star Yelp Reviews of National Parks appeared first on Vagabondish.
37 Hours in Harrisburg/Hershey: Day-Drinking, Paddling, and Geeking Out in Small Town Pennsylvania28 Aug 2015 | 12:40 pmJoin Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook. When I say Pennsylvania, you think …? Cheesesteaks, insane Eagles fans, and Rocky's totally rad climb up the steps of that fancy museum in Philly, right? Rabid Fans � US Presswire Totally understandable. But there are actually other cities in Pennsylvania! The cities of Harrisburg and Hershey don't get nearly the same love as Philadelphia, yet they're both fantastic in their own right. Harrisburg's downtown core, in particular, has rapidly grown over the last five years to include fantastic craft breweries, excellent outdoor adventure opportunities, a seriously awesome bookstore, and a whole lot more. So, as part of my recent Small City Love Tour��™ (which has...
Adventure Girl
How Taylor Swift and I got to make a little girl's dream come true24 Sep 2015 | 8:44 pmTaylor Swift. The iconic country turned pop star with mega-hits and mega-fans. One of them is a friend's daughter, named Chloe, and one ultimate "Swiftie" (what Taylor fans call themselves). When I say Chloe is obsessed with Swift, well that would be an understatement. She has been known to lock herself in her room for hours, listening to Swift's many hits. She knows every line by heart. Like all good Swifties, one must stay abreast of all things in Taylor's private life as well. Chloe explained to me about her two cats Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey, her besties Selena Gomez , Jaime King, Karlie Kloss, Cara Delevingne and Gigi Hadid. It was as if Chloe knew Swift as a best friend. And that's...
Let's Play for Pink!11 Aug 2015 | 3:01 pmVIEW the Official Invitation here! Media Contact: Stephanie Hamburger Executive Director Play For P.I.N.K email@example.com ph: 646-497-2605 Spread the word at #PFPKapalua, #BeTheEnd, @BCRFCure Elite Travel International is helping the fight against breast cancer with the Play for P.I.N.K. Kapalua charity tennis and golf tournament on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Set for the weekend of October 9-12, 2015, the tournament will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) with 20% of every room night booked via Elite Travel International at a hotel sponsor, including Montage Kapalua Bay, going toward the prevention and cure of breast cancer. Participants will be rewarded with an exciting line...
Let's Play for Pink Invitation!11 Aug 2015 | 2:59 pmHope you can make it! We'll have a blast and it's for a good cause! Stef
A Foodie Haven on Mykonos11 Aug 2015 | 12:13 pmThis June I travelled to Greece, and one stop was the island of Mykonos. Dubbed the "party isle," I was actually looking to explore it for what my European friends call it, the "foodie isle." Due to the jet set, who happily make it home for months at a time during the peak summer season, chefs and restaurateurs have set up shop and making names for themselves within this bevy of islands euro zone. So, when investigating which places to dine at, I turned to American Express Platinum Card Concierge to help me plan my night of dining out, including finding a restaurant, setting up the bookings and arranging the times that worked best. (Europeans often dine late in the afternoon, siesta, and then they...
The US Open & Greg Norman22 Jun 2015 | 11:12 amLast week kicked off to be such a fun one for me. I was invited to the US Open in Tacoma, Washington. Not only was I able to visit the pre-launch day of The Centurion Lounge pop-up lounge by American Express located near the 13th hole, (open to Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members attending the U.S. Open tournament), but inside this awesome space, was some really sweet perks. Throughout the week, Card Members get to recharge inside the pop-up lounge (literally, there are charging stations for cell phones), learn fitness tips from professional golf trainer Sean Cochran, putting practice with a pro, a meet-and-greet with legendary golfers, and dine on hors d'oeuvres by Chef Cedric Vongerichten who is the...
Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast
San Francisco North Beach Food Tour – Viator My City6 Oct 2015 | 3:54 pmThey say an army travels on its stomach, and so too sometimes do tourists, or even locals. An interesting way to explore a city, even your hometown is a food tour. So […] The post San Francisco North Beach Food Tour – Viator My City appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast. Related posts:<ol> <li>Jazz Mural in North Beach – San Francisco, California – Photo </li> <li>San Francisco Walking Tour (part 1) – Sound Seeing Tour 1 </li> <li>Self-Guided Walking Tour of San Francisco </li> </ol>
Travel to Kyrgyzstan – Episode 478 Transcript3 Oct 2015 | 10:53 amtranscript of Travel to Kyrgyzstan – Episode 478 Chris: Amateur Traveler, episode 478. Today, the Amateur Traveler talks about bazaars and lakes and sacred mountains. Break out your atlas, because today we […] The post Travel to Kyrgyzstan – Episode 478 Transcript appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast. Related posts:<ol> <li>Travel to Kyrgyzstan – Episode 478 </li> <li>Bike Travel in Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) – Episode 172 </li> <li>Travel to the Island of Cebu in the Philippines – Episode 457 Transcript </li> </ol>
Travel to Northern South Korea – Episode 4853 Oct 2015 | 8:30 amHear about travel to northern South Korea as the Amateur Traveler talks to Katie of aroundtheworldinktdays.com about the area of South Korea where she is living. Katie says "The northern part of […] The post Travel to Northern South Korea – Episode 485 appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast. Related posts:<ol> <li>Travel to Seoul, South Korea – Episode 157 </li> <li>Travel to Southern South Korea – Episode 286 </li> <li>Travel to North Korea – Episode 361 </li> </ol>
WWOOFing – Learning to Make Cheese in Switzerland25 Sep 2015 | 10:59 pm� Stepping off the train and finding the bus station, I boarded the vehicle that would take me straight into the Swiss Alps where I was about to learn how to make […] The post WWOOFing – Learning to Make Cheese in Switzerland appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast. Related posts:<ol> <li>Cowastrophe – Interlaken, Switzerland – Photo </li> <li>WWOOFing in Sicily </li> <li>Swiss Cafe on a Rainy Day – Interlaken, Switzerland – Photo </li> </ol>
"Jen Leo is Fly Curious" – This Week in Travel #19521 Sep 2015 | 11:45 pmThis Week in Travel – Travel News Podcast. Regular hosts Gary Arndt and Jen Leo are joined by this week's guest: Kerwin McKensie from passrider.com Plans available through Travel Guard can provide […] The post "Jen Leo is Fly Curious" – This Week in Travel #195 appeared first on Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast. Related posts:<ol> <li>"The Road to Travel Writing" with Dick Jordan – This Week in Travel #164 </li> <li>"Ireland and RVs" with Corey Taratuta – This Week in Travel #163 </li> <li>Award Winning Travel News – This Week in Travel 107 </li> </ol>
We Said Go Travel
A Kept Avenue in France9 Oct 2015 | 3:00 pmThe moment you feel you've gained independence is when when you've moved away with no supervision. When you make choices of your own to better understand how to navigate through things. At first you may feel you're like Dorothy, being jostled around in a thick tornado of bad doings. Then, just like Dorothy you end up in a land of OZ. My OZ is a paradise called Paris. A place where I've gained my right to be on my own, to be independent. Densely populated with people and palaces yet to be discovered by my wandering eyes. Where every feeling inside springs onto the monuments you encounter. Where dreams flow into gutters attached to streets with lovers. Where I will spend a day with a baguette and a starry...
Nepal: Mountain Freedom8 Oct 2015 | 10:37 amTravel is freedom. Sounds as much of a cliché, as it's true. I leave my house, get on a taxi, bus, plane and just in one second I leave everyday humdrum behind. My mind goes to other spaces, and my thoughts become as first and new as the places I reach. The rush of life, things to do, unsolved problems, people expecting something – it all disappears replaced by the exciting curiosity of the unknown. My breath and pulse accelerate. My eyes open wider not to miss any scene. I set off. I've experienced this special independence which I feel far from home and familiar routes so many times, but I still can't get enough. Where's this feeling the most intense?...
Moving On in Canada7 Oct 2015 | 3:00 pmMoving On Leaving home after high school graduation had always been the plan. It still is, and I am equally excited and terrified for the day I pack up the van and pull out of the driveway for the last time before I no longer live in the house I grew up in. I was ready for the adventure. Ready to move to a place, basically unknown to me, and take in the sights and experiences of being somewhere new. My parents supported me with everything they could, and that meant the world to me. They wanted me to be successful in whatever I chose to do, and took steps to ensure I was on the right path. It was something I would forever be...
The Impersonator in the USA6 Oct 2015 | 10:19 amThe Impersonator The black cat sitting in the hallway wakes me up with its pleas to be fed. The door to the room I am in is open, and I can clearly hear his meows. The red velvet curtains placed along the windows cast a blood-like radiance across the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Literary titles are numerous amongst all three of the four walls. The full sized bed is centered directly within a mini-library, and the masochistic red aura of the space makes me feel as if I am in a place designed only for love-making between bibliophiles. This room is not yet familiar to me, but I'm also not quite awake yet. It is a Friday morning and I am in a new bed, in a new room, in a new place of lodging. In the last...
Allegory of Spring, one summer in Florence, Italy5 Oct 2015 | 7:00 pmThe hot glare of the sun on the other side of the green canvas forces me to open my eyes. It is only eight o'clock and already the air is suffocating. I unzip the flap of my tent and crawl out. Despite the breeze, the heat is barely less, as I stretch before the morning sun now blazing in a deep blue sky instead of behind a green veil. Then I stand up. What a sight! The city lies before me – Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral like a huge ship sailing on a sea of terracotta roofs. Born and raised in the country, I have never woken to such a view across a city before. This feels special, like a new era in my life is dawning. I light my stove and brew a coffee. It has pungency in the flower-scented morning air...
The Princess and the fee — an unbelievable but true story9 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amWhen little things add up to big inconvenience, it's no fairy tale. The post The Princess and the fee — an unbelievable but true story appeared first on Elliott.
When chip happens, who should pay?9 Oct 2015 | 7:05 amYou're driving down the road and suddenly, thwack! A rock flies up and hits your windshield. The post When chip happens, who should pay? appeared first on Elliott.
More than $1k for an annual Disney pass? Quaaaaaack!9 Oct 2015 | 6:05 amThe Internet is having a Donald Duck-like tantrum after hearing news that Disney's popular theme park annual passes jumped by up to 35 percent, crossing the psychologically important $1,000-a-year-mark. The post More than $1k for an annual Disney pass? Quaaaaaack! appeared first on Elliott.
No 'pet-friendly' rooms at the inn8 Oct 2015 | 10:00 pmMaureen Lundgren books a reservation through Expedia at a "pet-friendly" inn. But there's a catch. Can she get a refund? The post No 'pet-friendly' rooms at the inn appeared first on Elliott.
Jennifer Aniston mocks U.S. airlines in hilarious new ad8 Oct 2015 | 8:05 amJennifer Aniston is taking off the gloves in a new Emirates ad that makes US airlines look, well, foolish. The post Jennifer Aniston mocks U.S. airlines in hilarious new ad appeared first on Elliott.
Soul Travelers 3
Mozart Wins High Honors Award from Johns Hopkins University!14 Sep 2015 | 10:16 amMozart Wins High Honors Award from Johns Hopkins University at 13!Mozart recently won a High Honors Award from Johns Hopkins University Gifted Program for scoring higher at 13 Mozart recently won a High Honors Award from Johns Hopkins University Gifted Program for scoring higher at 13 years old on the SAT test than 97% of high school seniors who take the SAT test and is in the highest group within their CTY gifted program ( higher than 2/3 in the program). Wow! We couldn't miss that High Honors Award Ceremony so that led to another cross country America road trip and so many changes in our lives due to this and her music and acting! She even played music on YouNow for fans around the world as we...
Teen Mozart's Speech on Travel at Dallas Public Library!18 Aug 2015 | 4:55 pmTeen Mozart's Speech on Travel at Dallas Public Library!As the world's most well-traveled child,Mozart had unique insights for her speech at Dallas Library! As the world's most well-traveled child, Mozart had unique insights for her speech at Dallas Library! I don't know of another child who has traveled the world non-stop for 10 years and she wants to use her gifts at public speaking and singing to help and inspire others.�14 year old Mozart loves public speaking and was the youngest speaker at The Global Education Conference at 13, youngest reporter at New York Fashion Week at 13 and now at 14, she was just the youngest speaker at NAACE for educators in the UK.� �We love libraries, reading and how much...
The Top 10 Reasons to Travel with Kids11 Aug 2015 | 10:03 amThe Top 10 Reasons to Travel with KidsWhat could be more fun than seeing the world through your child's eyes?No better education for our global� 1) KIDS MAKE IT MORE FUN!What could be more fun than seeing the world through your child's eyes? I loved�traveling the world as a single, as a couple and with groups, but nothing beats traveling the world as a family.� 2) TRAVELING IS MORE EDUCATIONAL THAN A TEXT BOOKThe world is getting smaller and there is no better education for our global citizens of the 21st century than world travel. Mozart has had little formal schooling yet she got better than most seniors on her SAT test at 13 and graduated high school at 14 and now about to start college at just 14.�...
Travel to LA Without a Car?3 Aug 2015 | 12:51 pmTravel to LA Without a Car?�Can you travel to Los Angeles without a car? How hard is it to get around in LA if you don't have a car?� � �LA WITHOUT A CAR Can you travel to Los Angeles without a car? How hard is it to get around in LA if you don't have a car? Today it certainly can be done, YES, even though Los Angeles is definitely a car city.�Surprisingly, in 2011, The Brookings Institution ranked Los Angeles at the top of its�list of 100 metro areas�offering public transportation to the carless public! WHY NO CARSince we've been traveling the world for 10 years now, I let my drivers license expire a long time ago, because I just didn't need it. My husband drives our RV/Camper around Europe but mostly...
Road Trip Across America27 Jul 2015 | 11:47 amRoad Trip Across AmericaWho doesn't dream about an exciting road trip across the USA?America is full of magical places� � Who doesn't dream about an exciting road trip across the USA? America is full of magical places and family travel by car means skipping high air fares and having time to bond, creating awesome travel memories. Summer vacations and road trips go together like peanut butter and jelly.� For many years we did road trips in Europe�that we loved, so will do more, and Mozart is one of the most well-traveled kids in the world, but lately we've been focused on her music and showing her more of USA travel. Her teen years and talents are leading us in new directions and it is time for her to know...
The Cranky Flier
Topic of the Week: Delta Removes Seats to Benefit Flight Attendants9 Oct 2015 | 3:45 amI can't say I'm used to seeing an airline make seating changes to benefit flight attendants, but that's what Delta is doing. The airline is removing 3 seats from its new A320/A321 configurations and 2 from the MD-90. Apparently those so-called "space saving" galleys aren't allowing flight attendants to do their jobs. Any flight attendants out there want to comment on this?
September's Operational Performance Was Great, Though Some Airlines Are Padding To Make That Happen8 Oct 2015 | 3:45 amIt's no secret the Fall weather (short of an errant hurricane) makes for the best flying weather. And this September was no exception. Every big airline in the US had more than 80 percent of flights arrive on time (except Spirit, which was close). Delta's mainline operation passed 90 percent and canceled almost no flights. But digging into the data, we can see that not all airlines are running efficiently. Some (*cough* United *cough*) are padding to improve arrival times. I dug into masFlight's on-time performance data to get the details. Let's start by looking at marketing carrier statistics. In other words, we'll look at arrivals within 14 minutes (DOT's metric of choice) by brand, including all...
United's New CEO Continues to Say the Right Things, but Talk is Cheap6 Oct 2015 | 3:45 amUnited's new CEO Oscar Munoz continues to show that his public persona is nothing like that of his predecessor Jeff Smisek, making a point to be seen as outgoing and open to feedback. In fact, one of the first tangible signs of his reign has been the creation of a way to make it even easier to tell him what you think. This is good, but it's also easy. It kind of reminds me of skiing. The first (and only) time I ever skied, I thought it was going to be simple after conquering the bunny slope. Then I hit my first green run and realized just how hard it was going to be. Oscar is cruising around the bunny slope with no trouble at all… but it's still just the bunny slope. So far, Oscar has lived up to his...
One of the Big Remaining Advantages of Built-In Entertainment Systems May Soon Disappear5 Oct 2015 | 3:45 amFor the last few years, people have been predicting the death of airline-provided inflight entertainment systems. With more and more people bringing their own devices and wifi becoming an onboard standard, the arguments for ditching the airline-provided systems grew stronger. That being said, there were still some benefits that couldn't be provided by passenger-provided devices. At the APEX show last week, BAE Systems announced it had become the first to knock down one of those benefits (though it does now seem to be waffling). BAE Systems is, if the claim proves to be true, bringing "early window" content to passenger-provided devices for the first time. Hollywood and the airline industry have a long,...
Topic of the Week: The Money-Making Machine That is Frontier2 Oct 2015 | 3:45 amFor those who pay attention to government data, it's no surprise to hear that Frontier is now wildly profitable. Its transformation has been swift, and certainly makes it look like Indigo Partners got a smoking deal when it bought what Republic assumed was a carcass of an airline. For those who don't look at the data, this might be a surprise. So, are you shocked? And what does this say about the state of the airline industry?
Peter Greenberg Travel Detective
Travel Tip: Things to Know Before Going On A Cruise9 Oct 2015 | 5:20 amRead the full article on PeterGreenberg.com at - Travel Tip: Things to Know Before Going On A CruiseThinking about taking to the high seas? Here are a couple things to know before going on a cruise. A growing number of cruise passengers still want to save money... Read More...The post Travel Tip: Things to Know Before Going On A Cruise appeared first on Peter Greenberg Travel Detective.
Travel Tip: The Perks of Flying Economy8 Oct 2015 | 5:21 amRead the full article on PeterGreenberg.com at - Travel Tip: The Perks of Flying EconomyIf you're flying economy, there are still some airline perks that haven't been taken away from us. Flying Virgin Atlantic to Europe? You'll still get free drinks and kids under... Read More...The post Travel Tip: The Perks of Flying Economy appeared first on Peter Greenberg Travel Detective.
Travel Tip: Getting Into Airport Lounges7 Oct 2015 | 5:23 amRead the full article on PeterGreenberg.com at - Travel Tip: Getting Into Airport LoungesAirlines are flying almost full—and so are the airports' VIP lounges. Not long ago, airport lounges were very desirable places to be. They were quiet, luxe areas with snacks. Lounges... Read More...The post Travel Tip: Getting Into Airport Lounges appeared first on Peter Greenberg Travel Detective.
Radio Guest List—The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin—October 10, 20157 Oct 2015 | 5:00 amRead the full article on PeterGreenberg.com at - Radio Guest List—The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin—October 10, 2015This week's broadcast of the Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio Show comes from The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin. This historic hotel originally opened its doors in 1948. Once a destination for... Read More...The post Radio Guest List—The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin—October 10, 2015 appeared first on Peter Greenberg Travel Detective.
Travel Tip: How to Find A Quiet Hotel Room6 Oct 2015 | 5:17 amRead the full article on PeterGreenberg.com at - Travel Tip: How to Find A Quiet Hotel RoomHow do you find a quiet hotel room? It all depends on the questions you ask, coupled with some new design changes at certain hotels. Ask the clerk how close... Read More...The post Travel Tip: How to Find A Quiet Hotel Room appeared first on Peter Greenberg Travel Detective.
USATODAY - Travel Top Stories
The eight most-anticipated new theme park attractions in 20169 Oct 2015 | 2:44 pmFrom boy wizards to giant apes, there's a lot to look forward to in amusement parks next year. �������
Test drive: Airstream's new model for Millennials9 Oct 2015 | 11:19 amThe single-axle Sport is Airstream's smaller, lighter weight model. �������
First look: Boeing's new 'Space Bins' expand carry-on capacity9 Oct 2015 | 8:25 amTired of battling your fellow fliers for carry-on bin space? Help is on the way. �������
South Side story: Chicago's urban renaissance9 Oct 2015 | 5:42 amDecision to locate Obama's presidential library on the South Side highlights its resurgence. �������
10Best: Places to enjoy the Appalachian Trail in a day9 Oct 2015 | 4:35 amThe 2,190-mile path is easily accessible and beautiful in autumn colors. �������
Nancy D Brown
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Downtown9 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amVancouver, British Columbia reminds me a lot of my hometown of San Francisco in many ways. However, the difference I'm noticing this October is in the weather; we get fog and Vancouver gets rain. Today I'm coming to you from Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, this is the third and […]
Pescadero, California, Coastal Gem7 Oct 2015 | 11:31 amPost and photos contributed by Lisa Dion Every year for the past several, our family meets to camp with a posse of others that we've known since my daughter Parker was in preschool. We secure the same sites at Butano State Park in Pescadero in a protected bowl of trees down the hill from […]
El Salvador: Things to See and Do2 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amAre you visiting El Salvador for the first time? Below is a list of "Insider Tips" for things to see and do in Sivar. When I have a visitor from out of town, the first place they want to see is Playa El Tunco and Sunzal, but I also take them to Paseo El Carmen […]
Book Review: Italy From The Source30 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amIt was more than 10 years ago that my husband and I traveled throughout Italy. Ever since, we have longed to return having fallen in love with the beauty, the people and the food of the different regions we visited. Italy From the Source transported me back to Italy, its people and the beautiful food […]
Casa Degraciela, Ahuachapan, El Salvador Hotel25 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amIn the charming town of Concepción de Ataco, El Salvador, is Casa Degraciela hotel. The family-owned boutique hotel served as the hacienda to the Degraciela family for over 100 years and continues to serve as their home today. From a quiet side street, steps from Ataco's town square, sits the u-shaped hacienda. Decorated with Western […]
Station Casinos Blog
Pai Wow Bonus Poker28 Sep 2015 | 11:02 pmAre You a Fan of Pai Gow Poker? Then be on the look out for an exciting new bonus feature called Pai Wow Bonus Poker. The Pai Wow Bonus feature is a side bet that enhances the game play of Read More ... The post Pai Wow Bonus Poker appeared first on Station Casinos Blog.
Gridion Glory | New Free Football Contest | Station Casinos7 Aug 2015 | 3:36 pmHey gang, it's almost football season and you know what that means… Football Contest! We have a brand new game for everyone this year, Gridiron Glory. Come get your share of the glory today. Join for Free! That's right, the Read More ... The post Gridion Glory | New Free Football Contest | Station Casinos appeared first on Station Casinos Blog.
Family Friendly Travel Options in Las Vegas3 Aug 2015 | 2:09 pmLas Vegas has a reputation for the more adult oriented lifestyle and wild nightlife, but at Station Casinos we haven't forgotten about your kids! There are so many things to do in Las Vegas for children and adults of all ages outside of Read More ... The post Family Friendly Travel Options in Las Vegas appeared first on Station Casinos Blog.
Texas Station 20th Anniversary7 Jul 2015 | 2:42 pmIt's been a great year here for us at Station Casinos, and to make it even better this month is the celebration of Texas Station joining the family twenty years ago! Texas Station is one of the most unique properties Read More ... The post Texas Station 20th Anniversary appeared first on Station Casinos Blog.
3:2 vs 6:5 Blackjack | A Devil in the Details11 Jun 2015 | 2:03 pmThe Pros Know Seasoned Las Vegas blackjack connoisseurs have watched casino after casino shift from classic 3:2 Blackjack to 6:5 over the years. To gain further insight, we spoke with Station Casinos' VP of Casino Operations Bill Burt who said, "I Read More ... The post 3:2 vs 6:5 Blackjack | A Devil in the Details appeared first on Station Casinos Blog.
TravelPod.com TravelStream™ — Recent Entries at TravelPod.com
more on Bourke and Mt Oxley — Bourke, Australia9 Oct 2015 | 4:40 pmmore on Bourke and Mt Oxley - Bourke, Australia Bourke, AustraliaI have had a surprise visit from some long time friends from Hamilton. Didn't know they were coming but really nice to catch up with them. We decided to do one of the tourist things and drive to Mt Oxley. This is on private property and you need a permit. The weather was quite pleasant and got a few photos.
Hiking! — Aspen, CO9 Oct 2015 | 4:40 pmHiking! - Aspen, CO Aspen, COJe me suis plant�e: je ne me fais absolument pas au d�calage horaire!!! Mes nuits sont des successions de siestes... Bref, �a n'enl�ve rien � la beaut� des paysages du Colorado, l'�tat le plus ensoleill� des US, apparemment! Petite balade d'acclimatation lundi, avec Dylan et Stuart, aussi rencontr� en Tha�lande au printemps dernier! Apr�s les souvenirs de Pai et Sukothai, nous voil� ensemble � Aspen: pas banal tout de m�me... Le monde est petit quand on en a envie! Ce qui ne donne pourtant pas franchement cette sensation quand on se balade dans l'immense for�t du Colorado: tous les trois au milieu de nulle part, on a...
20 - 30 - 40 - 417 oops what happened to 30? — Ottawa, Canada9 Oct 2015 | 4:38 pm20 - 30 - 40 - 417 oops what happened to 30? - Ottawa, Canada Ottawa, Canada Where I stayedhome!Thursday - good reason to be nervous we somehow missed highway 30 - and the wonderful new bypass of Montreal.. into the Lafontaine tunnel it is and out onto the very busy route 40 --- never mind, gives us a chance to visit the old haunt Fairview Shopping Centre! Lots of colour coming into Quebec We arrive home safe/sound on this very beautiful sunny autumn day -- Random items: - it's almost impossible to get coke in a restaurant east of Quebec and particularly so in the Maritimes!! Second only to getting wholewheat/brown/pain entier or ble or...
Hotsprings — Redstone, CO9 Oct 2015 | 4:38 pmHotsprings - Redstone, CO Redstone, COApr�s une merveilleuse soir�e cr�pes organis�e par la Frenchy, (franche r�ussite malgr� l'absence de farine de bl� noir ici et malgr� le ketchup rajout� � peu pr�s partout...) on roule vers les sources d'eau chaude!!! Au milieu des hautes montagnes des bassins d'eau thermals, une petite roulotte de gypsy pour passer la nuit: le paradis sur terre ou l'endroit le plus romantique de la plan�te lorsque le soleil se couche sur les montagnes et laisse place � un ciel de plus en plus noir, perc� de lucioles plus brillantes les unes que les autres... Wonderfull! Amazing! Perfect! Mais comme tu n'es pas l�, pour le...
Last day-escape tomorrow! — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia9 Oct 2015 | 4:38 pmLast day-escape tomorrow! - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaTrain to Selamat. Datang (3.20 for the two of us). Ministry of tourism and culture-general info on different parts of the country. Walked to Independence square (Merdeka). Tallest flag pole-place where flag was put up at independence. Kuala Lumpur city gallery with model of KL upstairs and costumes downstairs. Rm5 each entrance fee which was redeemable in the shop/cafe. Coke and mango chocolate Swiss roll. Library - exhibit of Time Tunnel. Future plans for the city. Royal Selangor club-ladies not allowed. St Mary's cathedral. Music museum ( free entry ) Textile Museum-bigger...
USATODAY - Today In the Sky
Name that airport ...9 Oct 2015 | 5:12 amHere is this week's "name that airport" photo. ��������
Alaska Air's 'Space Bins' come amid broader cabin upgrades9 Oct 2015 | 3:20 amAlaska Airlines planned to start rolling out roomier overhead storage bins for its Boeing 737s on Friday. The move comes as the carrier is t... ��������
First look: Boeing's new 'Space Bins' expand carry-on capacity8 Oct 2015 | 7:45 pmTired of battling your fellow fliers for carry-on bin space? Help is on the way. ��������
Analysis: United rarely filled controversial Newark-South Carolina flight8 Oct 2015 | 6:36 pm"This would suggest a seriously loss-making route," analysis by anna.aero website. ��������
Some travelers love to hate the new no-frills discount airlines8 Oct 2015 | 1:54 amFliers seem to reserve a special level of vitriol for these no-frills, discount airlines. ��������
FareCompare » Tips & Advice
The Heat is On: Plan a Trip to Australia, New Zealand Now7 Oct 2015 | 11:53 amAustralia and New Zealand seem to be on more must-see bucket lists than any other countries and no wonder: They're beautiful. And with warm weather on the way to Down Under, let's plan a trip. We have tips for getting there, tips for traveling in and out of Australia and New Zealand and even an airfare deal for Aussies. Australia/New Zealand Info for Outsiders Some things to know: The seasons: The seasons of Australia and New Zealand are the opposite of North America and Europe, so when it's winter in Chicago and Edinburgh, it's summer in Sydney. The weather varies of course partly because Australia is so big (about the size of the U.S.) and partly because of New Zealand's diverse terrain, but here are the...
How to Pay $100 Less for Thanksgiving Flights6 Oct 2015 | 1:30 pmAttention U.S. travelers who expect to fly around Thanksgiving (Nov. 26): If you want to pay $100 less on holiday airfare than a lot of people, act fast. Yes, that's my tip: Buy your ticket today. Thanksgiving Flights: Save $100 Here's why shopping today is so important: <ul> <li>Average airfare prices for the Thanksgiving holiday travel period rise about $5 a day – each day – through the end of October.</li> </ul> Buying your ticket today (Oct. 6) will save roughly $130 compared to the last-minute, early November shoppers. Remember, at Thanksgiving, procrastination does not pay. A quick example for round-trip Thanksgiving airfares for Los Angeles-New York shows what a difference a day makes. <ul> <li>Purchase price on Oct. 4:...</li></ul>
Rick Seaney's Video Podcast: Big Airfare Savings, Big Flyers, Big Changes at United30 Sep 2015 | 10:03 amIn his latest video podcast, travel expert and FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney weighs in on big flyers, the best deal zones of the year and how changes in an executive suite could mean changes for the better for passengers. Rick even fields a few questions from travelers. First, some posts you might want to look at, then Rick Seaney's video podcast. <ul> <li>Too Big to Fly? No, You're Not.</li> <li>FALLing Fares: The Deal Zones of Autumn</li> <li>Is United Airlines about to Get Better?</li> </ul> VIDEO: Hello, Rick Seaney! The post Rick Seaney's Video Podcast: Big Airfare Savings, Big Flyers, Big Changes at United appeared first on FareCompare.
FALLing Fares: The Deal Zones of Autumn29 Sep 2015 | 12:59 pmIf you like flying to new places while spending as little as possible, autumn should be your favorite time of year for three very good reasons: The Deal Zones of Fall. Most of what follows applies to travel within the U.S., flights between the U.S. and Europe and many (but not all) domestic and foreign routes around the word. As always, compare fares and dates to find the cheapest flights. LISTEN: Travel expert Rick Seaney loves those deal zones. First Deal Zone of Fall <ul> <li>Time period: August 25 through October</li> </ul> This one is already underway of course, and although it always begins in late August (start date varies year by year), it's considered the first deal zone of fall because it marks the end of the...
Celebrate the Holidays with Flights in the Deal Zones29 Sep 2015 | 9:11 amYou know holidays are expensive. Have you looked at Thanksgiving ticket prices? But there is a solution: Flying in a Deal Zone. LISTEN: Travel expert Rick Seaney is in deal zone heaven. What is a Deal Zone Deal Zones can be the perfect way to celebrate holidays in November, December and beyond without breaking the bank. Deal Zones are distinct periods throughout the year when demand is down sharply and prices plunge and they often precede or follow popular holiday travel periods. If you don't have to follow the crowd, you can save a bundle. Where to Fly in Deal Zones In general, lower Deal Zone fares are good for U.S. domestic travel and for trans-Atlantic flights to Europe. Some Caribbean destinations can...
View from the Wing
$300 Gift Cards That Earn 5x, 300 Free Hotel Points, and Getting Caught at Customs With Cocaine in Your Food9 Oct 2015 | 2:34 pmThe most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading $300 Gift Cards That Earn 5x, 300 Free Hotel Points, and Getting Caught at Customs With Cocaine in Your Food...
Bonus on Transfers from Citi to Hilton: Here are Better Things to Do With Your Points9 Oct 2015 | 12:04 pmCitibank is offering a bonus on transfers from ThankYou Rewards to Hilton HHonors through January 6. The good news is that they're aggressive, they are running two transfer bonuses at the same time. However you shouldn't be tempted by this offer. ThankYou points are just too good to transfer to Hilton. Continue reading Bonus on Transfers from Citi to Hilton: Here are Better Things to Do With Your Points...
$400 Discount on British Airways is Back!9 Oct 2015 | 9:34 amLast week I wrote about the status of the $400 AARP discount for premium cabin British Airways tickets. The discount has been around for awhile, and gets renewed on an annual basis. The current one shows valid for bookings made by October 31 -- only it's been erroring out, leading to speculation that it was pulled early. Fortunately, it is working again. Continue reading $400 Discount on British Airways is Back!...
350 Free Starwood Points9 Oct 2015 | 7:06 amStarwood is offering 150 points for updating security questions, and many can get 200 points for opting into emails. Continue reading 350 Free Starwood Points...
United's New Domestic Free Drink Policy. Is It as Generous as You Think?9 Oct 2015 | 5:04 amUnited now gives a free first drink to top elite frequent flyers seats in coach. But 1Ks and Global Services members were already getting free drinks (annual drink coupons). if the program replaces drink chits that could mean the end of free drinks for Platinum members. And snacks aren't included, which makes United the less generous than American and Delta. Continue reading United's New Domestic Free Drink Policy. Is It as Generous as You Think?...
Notes from the Road
Road Notes from John Day Country6 Oct 2015 | 6:01 amA Minimalist road trip through drought-scorched desert canyon roads of Oregon's interior.
Moving Castles of Clatsop County24 Aug 2015 | 6:01 amThoughts on road trip habits from the end of the American road.
Scarlet Starsong on the Tambopata River11 Jul 2015 | 6:01 amNotes on perception through the lens of synesthesia, and the value of global biodiversity, from one of its prime hotspots in the Peruvian rainforest.
How to Pack a Cooler for the Weekend27 Feb 2015 | 5:01 amSome thoughts on how to pack a cooler so you can stay out exploring throughout the weekend.
How I Extended the Range of the Pearly-eyed Thrasher27 Feb 2015 | 5:01 amSome thoughts on how to pack a cooler so you can stay out exploring throughout the weekend.
Consumer Traveler
American, Delta, United trash-talk Mid-East airlines — why is the government listening?9 Oct 2015 | 1:04 amJust about everyone in the United States has come out in favor of increasing the amount of overseas air traffic coming into the country. That is everyone except the Big 3 airlines and their workers' labor unions.
New airline kid-seat rules, personal data loss, Disney's surge pricing9 Oct 2015 | 12:03 amThe new rule on protecting children while flying, does nothing of the sort. The importance of backing up personal data while traveling. Disney is looking at surge pricing to thin primetime crowds.
Travel myth: Cheapest airfare is always found [here]8 Oct 2015 | 1:04 amI was almost ready to speak at a travel show many years ago, when a woman approached me and said she did not need to attend because she always finds the lowest airfare on website XYZ. Not always true.
Flowers and van Gogh, Norwegian named best airline in Europe, steal this poster!8 Oct 2015 | 12:03 amDutch flower parade honors Vincent van Gogh. Norwegian Airlines won the prestigious Best in Europe award for the second year in a row. JetBlue asks the public to take down their posters -- counterintuitive, but it worked.
The hidden cost of 'stupid' tourists7 Oct 2015 | 1:04 amTourists do the dumbest things. If you don't believe me, then maybe you should have joined me on a drive through Yellowstone National Park or visit the Cliffs of Moher.
EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog
Strategy: How to not get stuck with the worst room in the hotel6 Oct 2015 | 7:00 amWhenever you are on the road in Europe, you are bound to have a few frustrating experiences. This happened to me a few years ago when I was on the road inspecting hotels across Europe. I had a bad feeling when I checked into my second hotel on my trip to Lisbon. I was in town for the week to review about 50 hotels for our Lisbon guide, and I'd be spending three nights at this hotel. I had just spent three nights at another hotel, the Metropole, several blocks away. My room had been wonderful—a spacious double on the fifth floor, with a small balcony opening to sunny city views. (And yes, it was quite affordable, given the off-season rates.) But as I checked into this second hotel rather late in the...
France: 6 wine buying tips for Cheapos30 Sep 2015 | 8:50 amFew beverages seem as intimidating as wine. Images of blind tastings, snobbish conversations about vintages, and hefty price tags immediately come to mind. Coming to Paris, wine drinkers are like kids in a candy store. Affordable and delicious wine flows freely, but travelers can easily be duped. Whether you're looking for some vin rouge to go with your dinner or you want a bottle for a friendly picnic, here are some tips to keep in mind for picking an affordable wine. What's cuter than a pichet of rosé? Answer: Nothing. Photo: xLungex 1. Don't be thrown off by labels or price tags Higher prices and pretty labels are not indicative of how much you will like a wine. Bottles at restaurants can cost €20,...
Amsterdam: 5 budget hotels that offer a unique sleep29 Sep 2015 | 9:22 amAmsterdam is one of Europe's most interesting and quirky cities, so why not opt for a hotel to match? Whether you want to sleep on a boat, immerse yourself in art, sleep in a futuristic neon cube or surround yourself with porn, there is an accommodation to suit your needs. Related: Amsterdam Hotel Advice: Read this first To help make your trip to "The Venice of the North" more interesting, here are five unique hotels in Amsterdam: Aye Aye Captain! Go below deck to sleep on the water at Beagle Houseboat. Photo: EuroCheapo 1. Beagle Houseboat: Sleep on a boat Beds start at $40 per night Adventurous travelers will love Amsterdam's Beagle Houseboat, a one-room accommodation set on, you guessed it, a...
Paris: A list of free and discounted museums28 Sep 2015 | 6:10 amParis is so saturated with museums, monuments and historical landmarks that it's difficult to know where to begin planning. But once you've booked your airfare and secured a good price on a Paris hotel, it's time to start thinking about the fun stuff. For those looking to save some euros, one place to begin your research is by looking at museums and attractions that offer free or reduced admission. It is possible, after all, to take in a lot of the city's culture without forking over too much cash. Here's a quick guide to a few our favorite free museums and tips for finding discounted admission. Always free museums Some museums and many public monuments are free every day–also great to know when you get...
Amsterdam: How to dress and act like a local25 Sep 2015 | 5:26 amMaybe it's because I'm American, but I can spot our style from a mile away. I see it all over Amsterdam: The baseball cap, the oh-so handy cargo pants, and a sporty, all weather and near fluorescent wind breaker. We stick out like sore thumbs in Euroland. Of course, standing out is not necessarily a bad thing, and it's certainly a practical way of dressing. We are all for Cheapos embracing the style that makes them feel the most comfortable. But it's also nice to blend in with the locals and not be automatically treated as a tourist. And best of all, you don't need a million bucks to spruce up your wardrobe to match the Amsterdam style. It only takes a few simple tricks. We've given tips on how to dress...
Go Green Travel Green
Sustainable Souvenirs – How to Find Them and Why Buy Them9 Oct 2015 | 4:36 pmWe've written a series of articles with tips for traveling green on the return trip home. At the end of my study abroad trip to Russia, I found myself scrambling to find souvenirs for family and friends. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a market and found awesome locally-made sustainable souvenirs a few hours before I boarded my… Read more The post Sustainable Souvenirs – How to Find Them and Why Buy Them appeared first on Go Green Travel Green.
Top Tips for Staying Safe When Traveling1 Oct 2015 | 6:02 amVacations are meant to be carefree. Still, most people are rightfully concerned about how things are going at home while they are away. Just as concerning is the feeling of not being entirely safe at the destination either. Is it possible for travelers to feel protected while also being assured that things at home are fine? Yes!… Read more The post Top Tips for Staying Safe When Traveling appeared first on Go Green Travel Green.
Green Wedding: 14 Tips for the Ultimate Eco-Friendly Wedding17 Sep 2015 | 7:00 amWhat I Learned at the Most Eco-Friendly Wedding Ever The food was grown by the bride and groom, the toilets were composting, and the tableware was borrowed from friends.... Registry: At a Local Shop or Donation to Non-Profit We learned the hard way that if you register at a national store (like Crate & Barrel), you'll receive an obscene amount of packaging with your gifts. The post Green Wedding: 14 Tips for the Ultimate Eco-Friendly Wedding appeared first on Go Green Travel Green.
I am NOT a Paper Cup: Porcelain – Ceramic Travel Coffee Mugs16 Sep 2015 | 5:00 pmLately, I've seen plain white travel coffee mugs everywhere. They catch my eye because they look like paper coffee mugs, but they're not. Just look at this and tell me it doesn't look like a run-of-the-mill Starbucks disposable mug: More and more people are starting to use reusable – and when they are this cute… Read more The post I am NOT a Paper Cup: Porcelain – Ceramic Travel Coffee Mugs appeared first on Go Green Travel Green.
8 Ways to Save Water While Traveling and at Home16 Sep 2015 | 8:15 amAre you ever actively trying to save water? When you turn on the shower or fill your glass, you probably take for granted the clean water that comes out. But millions of people around the world aren't so lucky. In fact, 3.6 million people – including 1.5 million children – die each year from water-related diseases.… Read more The post 8 Ways to Save Water While Traveling and at Home appeared first on Go Green Travel Green.
SmarterTravel.com: Travel Advice
Three Ideas That Could Change Air Travel Forever8 Oct 2015 | 7:58 amAir travel design firm Teague has come up with an idea for an entirely new kind of airline.
17 Hotels with Stunning Views of Iconic Sites8 Oct 2015 | 2:13 amYou won't be waiting in line at these iconic landmarks with views like these.
A Study Abroad Packing List for Student Travelers7 Oct 2015 | 9:36 amIt's finally here—a comprehensive packing list geared toward students studying abroad for a semester!
10 Easy Ways to Save Money on a Cruise7 Oct 2015 | 7:52 amReluctant to book a cruise because of the price tag? Try these creative ways to cut costs without sacrificing the best parts of your trip.
The 10 Happiest Countries in the World6 Oct 2015 | 8:51 amWe're pretty happy just about anytime we go on vacation, but some destinations just feel happier than others. Why? Well, because they are!
Viator Travel Blog
Explore the Castles of Transylvania from Bucharest7 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amThe legend of Dracula may be a work of fiction but the foundations of the story are based around real people and places from Transylvania in Romania. The Peles and Bran castles are a few hours drive outside of Bucharest, therefore making a great day trip to our Romania travel plans. Since we were traveling without a car, I chose to book the Castles of Transylvania from Bucharest Private Tour in order to discover the true history of the region. Our guide Sebastian picked us up in Bucharest in the morning and we made our way to our first stop for the day at Peles castle. At Peles Castle with our guide, Sebastian. Close to the Transylvanian border, Peles was a summer retreat for the first kings of Romania....
Winter Adventures Around the Arctic Circle5 Oct 2015 | 11:18 amThe Call of the Wild … Jack London described a world of pure white, dangerous and exhilarating. Contrary to his time, today you can easily travel to the great northern territories of the USA and Canada and experience the thrills without the danger — just bring your adventurous spirit! Dog Sledding Ready to mush the dog team Imagine huskies running full speed, sprays of snow as the sled carves its way across the tundra, the wind on your face … Depending on your sense of adventure, you can either sit on the dog sled or, for the more audacious, mush your own dog team. In both cases, you will have a blast! Mushers should prepare for a workout as the dogs are powerful and have a mind of their own. Make sure...
Festivals Around the World in October2 Oct 2015 | 11:12 amFrom religious ceremonies to hot air balloons, October is filled with a variety of festivals. The changing colors in many places, along with cooler days, and the refreshing calm before the hectic holiday season draw locals and travelers to some of the world's most famous – and obscure – events. Since festivals often showcase local and traditional music, arts and crafts, dance and food, attending an event is one of the best ways to learn about regional traditions, customs, cuisines and values. Here's a roundup of October festivals around the world. Halloween Jack o'lanterns for Halloween The greatest fall festival of them all, Halloween combines ghoulish decorations and elaborate costumes for one of...
Travel With Viator: What's Happening in October1 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amOctober signals fall foliage in the Northern Hemisphere and spring celebrations in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a lovely season for travel any way you look at it, so let us help you plan your trip with these top-selling tours and deals. London, England What's Happening This Month Australia It's still whale-watching season in Australia — in Sydney and the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Hervey Bay — so head Down Under to enjoy some of nature's most magnificent creatures in the wild while you can. Book a Whale-Watching Cruise and Fremantle Day Trip from Perth by the end of the month on travel between October 5 and 31 and save 20% off our previously offered price. Also, spring has sprung in the Southern...
Where to Go in October: 20 Great Spots for Early Autumn30 Sep 2015 | 11:00 amWith the days getting cooler, the nights getting dimmer and the autumnal leaves beginning to shed from the trees, October marks the golden months of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and there are few more magical times to travel. Whether you're looking to spot the best fall foliage, seeking a suitably spooky location to celebrate Halloween or hoping to swap the cold nights for sunnier climes, here's our top picks for where to go in October. Savannah and Charleston, Southern Belles of the U.S. With a long history of ghostly happenings and some of the country's best haunted houses, the Deep South seems like a fitting place to celebrate Halloween and with the summer heat finally giving way, it's also a...
SmarterTravel.com: Travel Deals
$129+: Pet-Friendly Stays in San Diego9 Oct 2015 | 1:26 pmBring Fido along on your next San Diego visit because this package makes makes it easier to travel with your best friend.
$2 -- New York City's 5-Star Knickerbocker Hotel at Inaugural Prices9 Oct 2015 | 1:26 pmIn celebration of its 109th anniversary, the legendary Knickerbocker Hotel will drastically drop its rates to what they were when the five-star hotel opened back in 1906: only $2.
$2999 -- Rio, Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls: 8-Night Vacations8 Oct 2015 | 7:15 pmHere's your chance to see three great South American destinations in one go!
$875 -- Ocho Rios: 4-Night All-Inclusive Vacations8 Oct 2015 | 7:15 pmPlus, take advantage of $500 in resort credits, two kids' free stay, hotel transfers, and intro scuba-diving lessons.
$2199 -- Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Helsinki: 9-Nt. Vacations8 Oct 2015 | 7:15 pmincludes round-trip airfare, luxury accommodations in all four cities, intra-Europe ground transport, most meals, guided tours, and taxes and fees.
World Hum
War Story23 Sep 2015 | 8:48 amCould a trip to the old battlefields of Europe with his veteran father work a little magic on their relationship? Jim Benning hoped so.
Walking Off Writer's Burnout17 Sep 2015 | 10:33 amJeff Biggers hadn't written anything original in months. The joy was gone. Then he and a friend went for a stroll in Bologna.
The Accidental Hitchhiker14 Aug 2015 | 7:26 amIn Samoa, Celeste Brash gave a ride to a man she didn't know. Their encounter will stay with her forever.
The 2015 Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference11 Aug 2015 | 12:50 pmThis year's Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference—or as many justly call it, summer camp for travel writers—kicks off Thursday in Corte Madera, California. If you've ever wanted to study travel writing with a host of accomplished writers and editors, this is the time and place. The four-day conference features classes and panel discussions about the art, craft and business of travel writing and photography—and, just as importantly, hours of conversation over wine and dinner. I'll be on the faculty, along with World Hum contributors Lavinia Spalding, David Farley, Pam Mandel, Andrew McCarthy, Candace Rardon, Michael Shapiro, Andrea Johnson, Larry Habegger, Jill Robinson, Linda Watanabe...
How a Taxi Ride Changed a Writer's Life21 Jul 2015 | 8:13 amLayne Mosler's memoir, "Driving Hungry," chronicles her cab-centric quest for great meals and experiences. Jim Benning asks about it.
Perceptive Travel Blog
In Northern London, Birdsong and Spriggan at an Old Steam-Engine Line9 Oct 2015 | 5:58 amBack in olden days tracing back to summer 2014, it used to be that when I went running in London, invariably I ran the towpath along Regent's Canal. I'd start at City Road Basin, plunge on through Haggerston and (on good days) past Victoria Park, and continue on to Limehouse Basin, just north of River Thames, before looping back. The canal network in these parts is one of the city's most popular running (and strowling, and drinking, and strowling and drinking destinations), and still my favorite. This is an area still foreign to many visitors, so while it's preferable that
Scotland: Glasgow and Art6 Oct 2015 | 11:02 pmThe Old Course at Saint Andrews, the romance of the Highlands, the royal connections of Edinburgh: these often come to mind when people are thinking of Scotland. Glasgow often gets left out of the mix. It is a place, though, filled with history, art, architecture, romance, culinary experiences, shops aplenty, and music. About that art, for example — there's a range from prehistory to Viking to Victorian to cutting edge conceptual… When I return to Glasgow, which I've been doing each year for more than a dozen years now, one piece of art I always make time for is a
A Fine Wine Time in Rüdesheim5 Oct 2015 | 9:26 amThe Rheingau region of Germany, a short drive or cycle ride west of Frankfurt, produces some of the best wines in the country, especially Rieslings. However, because wine production is small many won't be found even in other parts of Germany, let alone overseas. The small town of Rüdesheim is doing its bit to spread the word, though, by introducing Wine Time! This self-guided walk gives you a passport to visit four of the town's vinotheks, or wine shops, with vouchers to sample two wines in each one. Though it has a population of fewer than 10,000 people, Rüdesheim is
Opinion: The Bourdain Empire Needs an Ego Check2 Oct 2015 | 7:08 amA foul stench percolated halfway into Florence Fabricant's report for the New York Times concerning plans and development progress of Anthony Bourdain's grandiose culinary theme park, which he and a small army of multi-millionaire investors and real-estate moguls have somehow decided to call "Bourdain Market." Perhaps, after the success of Banksy's Dismaland, this team of bad boy developers and foul-mouthed food outlaws ditched initial plans to make it "Bourdainland." Located in Manhattan, which delusional multi-millionaire real-estate moguls and hip multi-millionaires still think sits at the planet's center, Bourdain Market–just typing that makes me wince–will settle onto the Hudson River...
Moments from Istanbul: Life in Fener, The Greek Quarter30 Sep 2015 | 8:00 amIt's easy to get trapped among the historic streets and sites of Sultanahmet on a short trip to Istanbul, when venturing further afield mean taking a few cocktails up in Beyoğlu, a climb up Galata Tower or a cruise on the Bosporus. I only had four days to enjoy Istanbul, and while I could lose myself in the mosques of Sultanahmet and in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar or the nearby street markets for days, I wanted to see a different side of life in the city. I was lucky a friend recently moved back to town, so we grabbed a local bus
Travel | The Guardian
Olympic snowboarder Dom Harington on Morzine, France9 Oct 2015 | 3:27 amLiving in Morzine means having one of the world's largest ski areas as his backyard – and plenty of places to party off the slopes Although born and bred in Yorkshire, I've been snowboarding for almost 20 years and moved to the Portes du Soleil just over a year ago. Spread over 14 valleys between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, it's one of the world's largest ski areas and a great place to live. I chose Morzine because we used to train in the halfpipe there and I made friends and contacts who started businesses and made lives here.The Mutzig Challenge at Bar Robinson is one of several urban myths (or true stories) about what people get up to here. Mutzig is a 5.5% beer best enjoyed in halves, but the...
Travels with locals: 10 great B&B and guesthouse hosts around the world8 Oct 2015 | 10:30 pmB&B and guesthouse owners who go the extra mile deserve credit for making travel trips more pleasurable. Here, Guardian writers tip their hats to hosts with the mostStaying with a winemaker is often a special occasion, but little can compare to the welcome given by the burly, moustachioed Burgundy vigneron Thierry Violot-Guillemard and his wife, Estelle, at their rustic B&B. She is the one who pampers guests, preparing a big breakfast in the morning, advising on the best local restaurants or which village is hosting a morning market. Continue reading...
Google Safari View: walking with elephants in Kenya8 Oct 2015 | 7:11 amKenya's Samburu national park has been mapped by Google Street View, raising awareness of the reserve's efforts to protect the elephant populationGoogle Street View has launched a map of Kenya's Samburu national park, giving internet users the chance to get up close to the majestic elephants that live there. The project, created in partnership with Save the Elephants and with the support of the Samburu County government, aims to raise awareness about the struggle to protect the elephants, that remain at risk from poachers. Continue reading...
Tourists are propaganda: how ethical is your North Korean holiday?8 Oct 2015 | 7:00 amKim Jong-un wants two million foreign visitors a year by 2020, but debate rages over whether travellers are a force for good – or merely prop up the regimeAsking a person who risked their life to escape from North Korea why foreigners would pay to go on holiday there has a touch of the surreal. Ji Min-kang, who fled the country after his grandfather, a government minister, was imprisoned and his family placed under surveillance, struggles to understand it. Continue reading...
Street art in Belarus: bus stop murals – in pictures8 Oct 2015 | 6:24 amShould you find yourself awaiting a bus in Belarus, and not have one of Nobel prize-winner Svetlana Alexievich's books with you, you could amuse yourself with the paintings on these bus stops captured by photographer Alexandra Soldatova for her It Must Be Beautiful project Continue reading...
Lonely Planet blog
On the foodie trail: Thailand7 Oct 2015 | 5:41 amIf there's one thing you'll know Thailand for its the foodie scene. And whether you love a creamy green curry or prefer a zingy som tam, we all know that it's Thailand's locals who know how to make it best. Which is why we travelled back to the source to produce our new book, From the Source: Thailand, which showcases local recipes direct from the kitchens where they were originally perfected. Here Lonely Planet writer and avid food photographer, Austin Bush, shares some hunger-inducing Instagrams of his favourite Thai dishes and some snaps of his foodie adventures across the country. A photo posted by Austin Bush (@bushaustin) on Mar 31, 2015 at 5:02am PDT 'A shot of one of the salt wells...
Just back from… Provence7 Oct 2015 | 4:36 amLouise enjoying a cheeky harbourside vino in Cassis. Image by Louise Bastock Louise Bastock, Editorial and Community Assistant at Lonely Planet, is just back from eating her way around the southeast of France. Tell us more… I spent a long weekend travelling around Provence on a press trip investigating the delicious foods and flavours that make this region so special. Provence is undergoing a bit of a foodie revolution – highlighting the importance of utilising quality local products – so taste buds at the ready and elasticated waistband secured I set off to sample some local delicacies. In a nutshell… Provence is blessed with year-round sunshine and has a unique Mediterranean charm that really sets...
LP Pathfinders: top Instagrams from September 20157 Oct 2015 | 3:30 amStrong focal points were a recurrent theme in this month's Pathfinders Instagram round-up, from a stoic monk in China to a fisherman's bike in Myanmar. Every month we share the most eye-catching and interesting captures from our Pathfinders community. Here are our selections for September. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England A photo posted by Karen Warren (@worldwidewriter) on Sep 18, 2015 at 6:28am PDT 'Burghley House is a magnificent Elizabethan house surrounded by extensive parkland. What makes a visit there really special is the two gardens: The Garden of Surprises and the Sculpture Garden. The Garden of Surprises is a quirky confection of fountains, mirrors and hedges, while the Sculpture...
LP Pathfinders: top posts from September 20152 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amMount Fuji lures many a Tokyo tourist. Image by Jens Schott Knudsen / CC 2.0 This month our favourite Pathfinder stories involve off-the-beaten-track cities, charming towns and big, beefy mountains. All offer unforgettable travel experiences. Little snail, slowly slowly climb Mount Fuji – Aaron Paulson Middle-aged adventurer Aaron, who finds himself more than a decade into his 'three-year' overseas adventure, climbs Mount Fuji in an attempt to test himself and see if it's time to hang up the hiking boots. (It isn't.) Aaron lives in Tokyo, Japan. Follow his blog at medium.com/the-big-sushi Khiva: In the court of the khan – Tom O'Hara Tom takes a trip to the desert city of Khiva, home to a stunning...
Win the ultimate spy kit with this month's creative challenge!1 Oct 2015 | 3:11 amWhether your little one can crack a code in record timing, is crazy for cool gadgets or likes to don a quirky disguise from time-to-time, this month's Lonely Planet Kids' creative challenge is all about the cryptic world of espionage. To celebrate the launch of Lonely Planet Kids' How to be an International Spy, we've teamed up with the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. to offer one lucky undercover agent the ultimate spy goody bag. There will also be two copies of How to be an International Spy up for grabs. Follow the instructions below with your aspiring spy to enter. THE TASK Grab your colouring pens, download our activity sheet and get those imaginations into gear – your little...
Power of Travel Friendships: Global Photo Series8 Oct 2015 | 9:55 pmThis is the next to last week of FriFotos – this popular five-year old photo sharing event is sadly coming to an end next week, and so it's fitting that this week's theme is FRIENDSHIPS. No matter where we go we always meet new people when we travel, instant travel friendships that while they may not be long lasting, are important to us. With that in mind I wanted to share a few photos of wonderful people I've met around the world, people who sometimes extended to me small kindnesses that made my own personal travel experience so much richer than it would have otherwise been and in others their mere presence was enough to put a smile on my face.Reykjavik, Iceland�Thailand�Alberta, Canada�Egypt�South...
Active Experiences at the Luxury Primland Resort in Virginia8 Oct 2015 | 9:49 pmOne of my goals during a recent stay at Virginia's Primland Resort was to decompress, to relax and to frankly get away from real life for a few days. That's always my plan though, what I seem to willfully forget is that I'm a restless soul – I just can't sit still for more than a few minutes without going crazy. That's one of the great things about this 12,000-acre resort in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains; if you want to be active there are plenty of options including these, some of my favorites.Off road adventuresI should probably preface this post by saying that while I like being in nature, out amongst the trees and rivers, I am not necessary an outdoorsy person. You won't find me...
French Desserts: Some of My Favorite Sweet Treats in France7 Oct 2015 | 9:55 pmI have a sweet tooth and a pronounced one at that. For whatever reason I always gravitate towards desserts of all manner and shape when I travel and it's because of that odd culinary proclivity that I thought I'd share a few of my favorite French desserts. France without a doubt is world famous for having perfected the dessert, from almost-too-delicate-to-eat cakes to more common street fare, they excel at anything which contains sugar. Personally, I tend to go for more simple desserts, and so generally that is what is in today's post. I hope you've already eaten because if not, these French desserts will undoubtedly leave you hungry and looking for the closest French patisserie.Les Baux-de-Provence...
The Road To Glamis Castle in Scotland7 Oct 2015 | 9:50 pmThe post The Road To Glamis Castle in Scotland appeared first on LandLopers.
Exploring Maligne Lake – Symbol of the Canadian Rockies6 Oct 2015 | 9:55 pmI did a double take at Google Maps when it estimated an hour until I reached my goal. I had already made the long drive from Edmonton to the front gate of Jasper National Park and then the not-so-short drive from there to Jasper Park Lodge. It seemed inconceivable to me that it was another hour to then reach Maligne Lake, but that's part of what makes this part of the world so special. It's thanks to its remote location and practically unparalleled natural beauty that thousands visit every year and is the reason ultimately why I was there too. And by the end of my time not only in Maligne Lake but also in Jasper National Park, I would learn that getting there is truly half the fun.Zoning out while...
Indie Travel Podcast
How to be a good hostel guest8 Oct 2015 | 10:00 amWe've been renting apartments and housesitting a lot recently, but during our trip through the Balkans two years ago we returned to our old standby, hostels. We love hostels for their social element as well as for their individual character and often excellent locations. Although we don't usually stay in dorms anymore, we've found that a private room in a hostel can be a fantastic choice: you still get the atmosphere of a hostel without the pain of sharing your room with a snorer! While chatting with the owners of some of the hostels as well as with other guests, we were reminded that hostelling has its own etiquette. A private room in a hostel can be a great option… and some are pretty fancy! 1. Be...
How to make sherry5 Oct 2015 | 9:00 amAlthough it's unfair to judge something before you try it, sherry's reputation as a drink for old ladies meant that it has never been my first choice for a tipple. However, it turns out that sherry is fascinating — the process of making it is unlike any other wine-making system I've ever encountered, and variations on this process produce sherries for every palate. Like Champagne, a product can only be labelled as sherry if it has been produced in a strictly defined area. In this case, it's a section of Andalusia known as the Sherry Triangle, which is bordered by the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María. The barrels are stacked in well-ventilated...
The pack light podcast: how to travel carry-on size1 Oct 2015 | 10:00 amTen years of full-time travel have taught us all sorts of lessons, but one of the first ones we learned remains the most important: pack light. It can be a challenge to reduce your luggage to carry-on size, but it's the single best thing you can do to improve your travel experience. To listen, hit play below or find episode 307 in iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud: Benefits of packing light People are often impressed by the fact that Craig and I travel full-time with just carry-on sized bags, but the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. They include: <ul> <li>We have less stuff to keep track of.</li> <li>We don't have to check bags on budget airlines, which saves us money.</li> <li>This also saves time, as we don't...</li></ul>
Travel diary: Oundle part two28 Sep 2015 | 10:00 amIt certainly wasn't what we expected, but Oundle has been good to us. It's sad to say goodbye to our temporary pets Dude and Audy, who showered us with affection from the first day of our stay, and we'll also miss the town's beautiful buildings and the long walks we've been taking along the river. We've been here for five weeks now, and the last two weeks have been a lot more like we imagined our stay here would be — long days of work with a few events thrown in. I started each day by taking the dog for a walk, then we both settled in for a morning in front of the computer. Craig took the dog out again in the evening while I cooked dinner, then we generally watched TV until we went to...
Ten female bloggers you should follow24 Sep 2015 | 10:00 amWomen are amazing. Men are amazing too, but this post is about the female half of the species, specifically about ten women who blog. One of the best things about travelling is the chance to meet new people. Craig and I are lucky enough to have friends all around the world; some are people we've stayed with through Couchsurfing or AirBnB, others are fellow travellers. Still others are members of the ever-growing travel bloggers' community, which is full of truly excellent people. At a recent blogging festival, I met one of these people: Alys from The Wild Life. Last week, she nominated me for the Sisterhood Of The World Bloggers Award. Hover over and click 'pin it' to share on PinterestI'd never...
nerd's eye view
Stuff I Liked This Week, Delta Edition9 Oct 2015 | 6:44 amI traveled in Mississippi as a guest of Visit the Delta. Nearly all my travel expenses were paid for. BB King: I'm no good with chords. I'm horrible with chords. Bono: That's okay, we've got The Edge for that. I did not expect to be completely suckered in by the BB King Museum in Indianola, but I ended up spending a good two hours, maybe more, watching the video clips, playing with the interactive exhibits that traced music history, reading about what it was like to be a black musician during segregation. I also loved all the clips of BB playing, he lit up when he had that guitar in his hands. I enjoyed Stax — that music speaks to me so much more — but because the audio exhibits weren't as obsessively...
Photos from the Blue Front Cafe6 Oct 2015 | 7:43 amI'm traveling in Mississippi as a guest of Visit the Delta. Nearly all my travel expenses are paid for. It feels a little bit like Jimmy "Duck" Holmes is just waiting for you to show up. There were a couple of local kids hanging around, drinking soda at the picnic tables on the side of the building, but Jimmy "Duck" Holmes — everyone I met was saying all three names — was on the front porch mid-morning, smoking a cigarette, drinking a beer, and there was another plastic chair so I sat there with him for a while. "Go inside and take some pictures," he said, "all you want," and he followed me in and put a quarter in the jukebox and the place filled with the sound of soul on vinyl. "They're all 45s," he said,...
Down in the Land of the Delta Blues4 Oct 2015 | 7:05 amI'm in Mississippi as a guest of the Visit the Delta tourism board. Nearly all my travel expenses are paid for. I'd been driving for an hour or more and it didn't seem possible that I was heading in the right direction. The land was flat and open and mostly brown and above the sky was a mottled expanse of gray and there was a strip of uneven two lane highway heading right to the place where those two things met, but there didn't seem to be anything there. Sometimes there was a house far, far off to the left under the trees that lined the river. Sometimes there was a church close to the road with a little pull out and a dirt lot, but given that there didn't appear to be any communities around, I couldn't...
Mississippi Black and White3 Oct 2015 | 4:22 pmI've been reading Faulkner, I think that's why these photos look the way the do. I've got more pics on Instagram. And if you're wondering, I shoot a Panasonic Lumix. The post Mississippi Black and White appeared first on nerd's eye view.
Postcards from Mississippi2 Oct 2015 | 6:03 pmI'm in Mississippi as a guest of the Visit the Delta tourism board. Nearly all my travel expenses are paid for. I must have looked somewhat disoriented because he asked me if I was visiting. He then went on a tear about the airport. Memphis was a Northwest hub once, then Delta, but it's been "de-hubbed" and now, everything goes to Atlanta. "That place is a zoo," I said, and he agreed, and continued to rant — not in an unfriendly way — about Memphis and all the empty gates and why on earth did they park us at the one furthest from the terminal, they don't care about people. He was a rumpled suit of a guy, tired looking, but kind, and he told me I'd need to go all the way to the end of the terminal and then...
Cheapest Destinations Blog - Travel the World!
How Pricing Works for Organized Travel Tours7 Oct 2015 | 7:39 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!
Doolin Drumming, Celestial Quebec, and Middle-aged Singapore2 Oct 2015 | 7:24 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!
When Is an International Flight not an International Flight? (Hint: when it involves baggage fees.)29 Sep 2015 | 10:15 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!
Travel Prices in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala23 Sep 2015 | 6:59 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!
What Are the Emerging Cheap Destinations?17 Sep 2015 | 1:07 pmWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. Meanwhile, you can always see what's new by visiting www.CheapestDestinationsBlog.com!
Travel the Home Exchange Way
Home Swappers - the home exchange newsletter7 Oct 2015 | 3:00 amHome Swappers newsletter: Travel the Home Exchange Way <ul> <li>Featured home swaps: Bavaria (Germany) + Brighton (England)</li> <li>Photo competition: members home swap photos</li> <li>Home swap trip report: splendid Sydney swap </li> <li>Home swaps just in: C18th Mill house in England, Waterfront home on Australia's Gold Coast and a beautiful villa in Spain</li> </ul> Read the newsletter: Home Swappers Newsletter Find your perfect home swap vacation: join Home Base Holidays Related articles Home Swappers: the home exchange travel newsletter Live like a local - April home exchange newsletter Home Swappers: the home exchange travel newsletter! Home Swappers: the home exchange travel newsletter Home Swappers: the home exchange...
Expat Life: Home Swap to Go Home4 Oct 2015 | 7:23 amHome swapping is a great way for people to enjoy free holiday accommodation. It's also a great way for expats to visit friends and family in their native country. Here are some reasons why: Not imposing on friends and family During the first few months after having moved abroad, you may find it easy and even cozy to spend your vacation at your friends and family's house. But, as years go by, you will soon realize things change: people moved on, they get married, have kids, your family situation changes. As a result it can sometimes start to feel a little uncomfortable to impose your stay on them by spending weeks at a time in their home. Arranging a home swap near to your family and friends is an...
Photos taken on recent home swap holidays: Kindle competition winners!29 Sep 2015 | 8:26 amWe received many entries and lovely holiday photos, making it very hard to select a winner. However, Hanna White's beautiful photo and evocative description had us dreaming of a sunny beach in France on a very rainy day in London. We are delighted to announce Hanna as the winner of the Kindle Paperwhite: "I took this photo after an afternoon spent lazing on the beach at the Ile de Ré in West France in August this year. We borrowed our house-swap partners' bikes and I think the photo captures the beauty of the French seaside as well as the French love of cycling!" - Hanna White View Hanna's home swap offer in London. The three runners-up in the competition have had their memberships to Home...
Two definitions of home exchange or home swap24 Sep 2015 | 2:50 amFusiontourism definition: 'House Swap or House Exchange is a tool for digital nomadic tribes modernizing the primeval bartering travel back in a world scale catering for everyone or into family-friendly environment. Revival travel tool that our great ancestors led from generation to generation travelled with their foot through lands and seas in exchanged gold or silver, into rice or potatoes.' Huh? Anyone hearing about home swapping for the first time might be a little confused by this definition – and even that you can't swap if you live in a flat or apartment! If you are an experienced home swapper, how would you describe the concept, as simply as possible, to friends who were interested in...
Home Swappers - the home exchange newsletter21 Sep 2015 | 6:20 amHome Swappers newsletter: Travel the Home Exchange Way <ul> <li>Featured home swaps: Bergun (Switzerland) + Highlands (Scotland)</li> <li>Home swap photo competition: stunning photo in Ile de Ré, France</li> <li>Home exchange trip report: thatched cottage in Hampshire, England</li> <li>Home swaps just in: retro caravan in Scotland, villa with private pool in Malta and a lovely mountain view chalet in Beynost, France</li> </ul> Read the newsletter: Home Swappers Newsletter Find your perfect home swap vacation: join Home Base Holidays Related articles Home Swappers: the home exchange travel newsletter Live like a local - April home exchange newsletter Home Swappers: the home exchange travel newsletter! Home Swappers: the home...
Rick Steves' Travel Blog
Video Travel Bite: Marken, Netherlands9 Oct 2015 | 2:04 pmFrom time to time we share a random video clip to fuel your travel dreams. Join us today as we sail in a traditional fishing boat to the village of Marken, a place where the past and the present mingle comfortably. (Watch my complete TV episode about the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam online for free.) �
Facebook-Only Blowout Sale: 3 Courses of DVD Travel Joy for Just $57 Oct 2015 | 10:02 amThoughtful travel celebrates great sights, high culture, and political awareness. And so does a blowout deal I'm sharing exclusively for my Facebook travel partners. For 31 hours we're offering three DVD sets for just $5 plus shipping. You'll get: Season 8 of "Rick Steves' Europe" on two discs (12 shows — Turkey , Loire, Israel, Palestine, Cinque Terre, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Prague, Berlin, and more); "Rick Steves' Symphonic Journey" (a public television special with my home town orchestra playing 19th-century Romantic national favorites with glorious images from seven different countries with me as your formally-attired guide setting the scene); and my recent — and more timely than...
Video Travel Bite: Italy's Cinque Terre2 Oct 2015 | 1:11 pmFrom time to time we share a random video clip to fuel your travel dreams. This time, we explore part of Italy's Cinque Terre, from Manarola's cemeteries high in the hills to Riomaggiore's tangle of pastel houses. (Watch my complete TV episode about the Cinque Terre on our website for free.)
Debunking Braveheart in Stirling28 Sep 2015 | 9:37 amI'm done traveling for the year, but other members of my staff are still in the field. While I regroup from 100 days in Europe, I invited my frequent collaborator Cameron Hewitt to share some posts from his blog. Cameron has traveled about as much as me this year, updating our guidebooks in Italy and France, and turning our already strong material in Scotland into a stand-alone Rick Steves Scotland guidebook (due next spring). While Cameron and I are in perfect sync in terms of travel styles and priorities, he gives voice to the next generation of Rick Steves travelers. If you like Cameron's insights, you can read much more on his travel blog, and you can also follow Cameron on Facebook. —...
Ghosts and Skeptics in Britain25 Sep 2015 | 2:38 pmI'm done traveling for the year, but other members of my staff are still in the field. While I regroup from 100 days in Europe, I invited my frequent collaborator Cameron Hewitt to share some posts from his blog. Cameron has traveled about as much as me this year, updating our guidebooks in Italy and France, and turning our already strong material in Scotland into a stand-alone Rick Steves Scotland guidebook (due next spring). While Cameron and I are in perfect sync in terms of travel styles and priorities, he gives voice to the next generation of Rick Steves travelers. If you like Cameron's insights, you can read much more on his travel blog, and you can also follow Cameron on Facebook. —...
Ever Been to Bogotá?9 Oct 2015 | 12:02 pmSurprising as it may seem, the city of Bogotá in Columbia is actually a great place to visit. This amazing city is historic, culturally significant and also one of the highest cities in the world!... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Travel to Bangkok8 Oct 2015 | 11:56 pmThere is a lot more to Thailand than just massage parlours and nude beaches. To the traveler who wants to have a taste of life as it is in Thailand, all he has to do is to enquire at the government... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
A complete guide to finding the right car rental8 Oct 2015 | 11:48 amWhether you are travelling for leisure or for business, renting a car gives you a lot of flexibility. Here is how you go about finding the right car rental: Ask for recommendation from your travel... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Gluten-Free Travel8 Oct 2015 | 11:48 amOne of the most common digestive problems being diagnosed today is that of gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and grains. It is found in practically every loaf of bread and every grain of... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Perfect Vacation in Valencia7 Oct 2015 | 11:40 pmValencia, is the third largest city in the country of Spain (behind Madrid and Barcelona), and is situated around the Mediterranean Sea. The city was founded in 137 BC. Valencia is no doubt on the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Daily Catch
Blessing the Land9 Oct 2015 | 8:27 amHow do you start building a house in Hawaii? First, you bless the land. That means you find a kahu, or spiritual leader. In our case, it was Danny Akaka Jr., who'd given the opening prayer at the governor's inauguration in Honolulu the previous winter, and serves as cultural historian at the Kohala Coast's Mauna Lani Resort. He arrived with his wife, Anna, and they donned kiheis—sarongs once made from barkcloth—which they knotted across their shoulders. Naturally, there were also leis fashioned from orchids and from maile, a native liana prized for its bright green, camellia-like leaves. A dozen friends we'd met over the years joined us as well. It was 5:45 pm, about an hour before sunset. We...
View of the Day: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina9 Oct 2015 | 4:00 am"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth." ―Henry David Thoreau Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, by @verosangue and @mymyrtlebeach via #CLPicks For a chance to have your photo featured as our View of the Day, follow us on Instagram at @Coastal_Living and tag the image with #CLPicks.
5 Crazy-Romantic Fall Beach Getaways8 Oct 2015 | 12:00 pmFall might be the beach's most romantic season, and while any beach on a blustery day provides the algebra for love, I'm smitten with these love-laced coastal getaways that are perfect for fall. Book now and thank me later, lovebirds! Destination: Maui Photo courtesy Hotel Wailea What's to love: Couples only! Hotel Wailea, the luxury, suites-only hotel, has emerged from a $15-million redesign with 72 oversized one-bedroom suites, a new resort pool with residential style cabanas and an apothecary style pool bar. No kids! I'm already feeling the romance, but check this out: how about the resort's Suite Getaway package, which includes a four-hour beach excursion in this reproduction 1957 Porsche 356...
4 Dry Shampoos to Get You to the Weekend8 Oct 2015 | 10:00 amA girl's new best friend–a solid dry shampoo. Whether late for work, short on time, or just too lazy to wash your hair for the fifth time this week, this life-saver should always be in your bathroom cabinet. Check out four of our go-to's, and why we love them! � Image courtesy of manufacturer We are willing to try anything by KLORANE, and this dry shampoo was a winner. It revives locks for a second day and adds a boost of volume. KLORANE Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $20 � Image courtesy of Sephora A fine-fragranced dry shampoo delivers a refresh in both cleanliness and smell. How sleek is that packaging, too? Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Dry Shampoo, $28 � Image courtesy of manufacturer This...
Marylanders Get Steamed At Us, But We've Got a Solution!8 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amWe don't have a "Letters to the Editor" page, but that doesn't mean I don't read each and every letter you send. Luckily for me, most of the letters we receive read a lot like this one: "Thanks for the first great issue of Coastal Living (October). I loved the articles and recipes." —Beth Tweed, Florida While I love letters like this one, I also appreciate hearing from less satisfied readers. As you know, we tried something new in October with our first-ever food issue. It turns out our cover line about hosting a crab boil left several of you rather, well, steamed. Exhibit A: "I can't imagine why the cover features a photo of a steamed blue crab with the words 'Host a Crab Boil.' After reading...
Is Trivago Expedia's answer to Google and TripAdvisor?9 Oct 2015 | 12:10 amTripAdvisor's hotel chain partnerships and Google's foray into hotel bookings must have shaken up Expedia about the value that metasearch engines can create by partnering directly with hotels. With Trivago, Expedia is also gearing up to provide stiff competition in the metasearch segment.
Germany's Escapio switches to hotel metasearch9 Oct 2015 | 12:09 amThe original booking website model was becoming harder to sustain because of the growth of Booking.com, which has approximately 50% market share in Germany, not to mention other large players like HRS and Expedia.
Marriott launches new program to entice customers to book direct9 Oct 2015 | 12:08 amMarriott International next week will officially announce changes to its Marriott Rewards program designed to increase loyalty and get customers to book direct on its own website.
How millennial meeting pros like to research sites9 Oct 2015 | 12:07 amA new white paper, "Destination Marketing: The New Wave," explains how the Millennial generation's relationship with technology and new media strongly influences the way they research and plan events, and how that influence has expanded across all generations.
Will the travel industry shift Its focus from millennials to seniors?9 Oct 2015 | 12:06 amA lot of attention has been placed on millennials in the travel industry today - and for good reason - but one potentially highly valuable and highly lucrative segment of the population may not be getting the attention it deserves.
Are you ready for Nature?2 Oct 2015 | 3:24 pmFrom a Safari Camp in Tanzania to a Bohemian Cabin in The Patagonia our 10 most remote Boutique Homes completely immerse you in the beauty of Nature. See for yourself… Desert Gold. DeathValley, California Off -grid House. Pioneertown, California Mountainside Hotel. Alvados, Portugal Casa Solo Pezo. Aragon, Spain God's Window. Swellendam, South Africa HammerSky Inn. Paso Robles, California Futaleufu Lodge. Patagonia, Chile Shu'mata Camp. Amboseli, Tanzania On the Beach. Saint Francis, South Africa Modern Bohemian Cabin. Patagonia, Argentina
California Road Tripping2 Sep 2015 | 12:31 pmWhen someone says road trip, I can be packed and ready to leave in 5 minutes. This might say something about where I've been, more likely about where I hope to go. A full tank of gas, a good friend and a vague plan is my salvation. We left early in the morning with fog still covering the sloping mountains of Topanga. The car hugged the side of the mountain as we winded down the curves towards the Pacific. With the sky slightly out of focus and as pale as the sea, we headed north on the Pacific Coast Highway. After a pit stop in Malibu for a fruit salad from John's Garden, we headed up the coast, trading bites of pineapple, strawberries and honeydew with a plastic fork. Tom Jones crooned as the...
Relax with Sveglio27 Apr 2015 | 11:45 amWhat an amazing creation! This week we want to introduce a new dynamic outdoor furniture designed by Jason and Jules Henry. Two brothers from Big Sur, California that took inspiration form the wild and eclectic community they grew up in and turned it into creative self-expression. Volo (I fly in Italian) is a perfect reminder of life's motion and balance. We are in love with the design and know that it will work perfectly in many of our Modern Boutique Homes. What a cool outdoor piece to read under a tree, watch the sunset or nuzzle up and look at the stars. We can't help but think that this is a must have accessory for our Chic Nomads and can't wait to try it!
Pop-up Pads2 Mar 2015 | 2:02 pmAt Been Seen, we love creative design, and when we find it coupled with sustainable building it truly inspires us! Like our very own "The Pods" hotel, this pop-up pads are made for the modern nomad. Comfortable, stylish and eco friendly, we are definitely dreaming of carefree vacations! Eco-Hotel + Drop L have created this removable modular hotel rooms inspired by the organic shapes you can find in nature. This lightweight units can be placed and removed in different terrains without leaving a negative impact on the environment. A fabulous room with a view that disappears into the landscape giving you a completely new travel and hotel experience. So if you want your next vacation to be in the forest,...
Visit California, it's amazing.13 Jan 2015 | 2:41 pm� Explore California. From Yosemite to Big Sur, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, we discovered cool places to stay in California. Find all the options at Vacation Rentals California.
Five Tips For Surviving a Theme Park Haunt for the Complete Chicken9 Oct 2015 | 3:00 amI'm really an odd duck. I love Halloween. I love a good jump scare. I love horror novels. I love haunt events. But…. I hate horror movies and I don't handle seeing blood and gore…The post Five Tips For Surviving a Theme Park Haunt for the Complete Chicken appeared first on MiceChat.
Yesterland: Disneyland Hotel – Then & Now, Part 28 Oct 2015 | 8:19 pmThroughout its 60 years, the Disneyland Hotel has gained and lost many features. The improvements of 2009 though 2012 arguably make the hotel the best it's been this century. The Disneyland Hotel is a youthful,…The post Yesterland: Disneyland Hotel – Then & Now, Part 2 appeared first on MiceChat.
Fab News: The Islands Await8 Oct 2015 | 3:00 amHello, sweet Fabanistas. The weekend approaches, and for us, it's going to be a busy one! Luau, Baby! There's still time to get tickets for the CHOC Ambassador Luau this Saturday night. There will be…The post Fab News: The Islands Await appeared first on MiceChat.
It's a Winter Holiday at Sea Onboard the Disney Cruise Line8 Oct 2015 | 2:00 amDisney Cruise Line's very popular Very Merrytime Cruises are back this year aboard the fully decorated Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. As we discovered last year on the Fantasy, it's the perfect…The post It's a Winter Holiday at Sea Onboard the Disney Cruise Line appeared first on MiceChat.
Dateline Disney World – Pirates Returns and First Signs of Christmas7 Oct 2015 | 3:00 amAside from Halloween, there are many projects happening around the Magic Kingdom. let's take a look. The post Dateline Disney World – Pirates Returns and First Signs of Christmas appeared first on MiceChat.
A Luxury Travel Blog
The 10 best boutique hotels in Spain9 Oct 2015 | 6:26 amHistorical and architectural preservation and city building codes play a big role in the level of creativity needed to design boutique hotels in cities that date back hundreds and thousands of years. Designing a contemporary hotel in old but beautiful buildings can be a challenge not only in design but also delivering a great experience […] The 10 best boutique hotels in Spain is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post The 10 best boutique hotels in Spain appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
5 reasons why Courchevel ski resort is in a class of its own8 Oct 2015 | 3:38 pmThe resort has lovely snow and with most of its beautiful tracks running at altitudes of more than 1800 metres, Courchevel guarantees snow from the beginning of December till late in April. Lying in the most extensive ski area in the world, the vast Trois Vallees, it offers wonderful slopes for all levels of skiing. […] 5 reasons why Courchevel ski resort is in a class of its own is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post 5 reasons why Courchevel ski resort is in a class of its own appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
5 dishes you must taste in Singapore8 Oct 2015 | 7:35 amWhen wandering among the neighborhoods of Singapore, you'll find yourself among different cultures, all with their own unique color, character and taste. From Chinatown to the Arab Quarter, from Little India to the Malay neighborhood and from there to the Hawker Stalls, this amazing island state is home to people from all over the world, […] 5 dishes you must taste in Singapore is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post 5 dishes you must taste in Singapore appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
Top 3 must-drive supercars before you die8 Oct 2015 | 5:14 amWith so many outstanding supercars on the road in 2015, it is hard to know which are the best bucket seats to add to your bucket list. We have debated this long and hard. Unsurprisingly there were plenty of incredible machines vying for the pole position; the iconic Ferrari LaFerrari, the incredible Porsche 911 GTS and […] Top 3 must-drive supercars before you die is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post Top 3 must-drive supercars before you die appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
Photograph of the week: A stormy evening in Moscow's Red Square7 Oct 2015 | 12:45 amLocated in the heart of the city and surrounded by four of its most iconic buildings: namely the Kremlin, GUM Department Store, the State Historical Museum and St. Basil's Cathedral, nowhere epitomises Moscow quite like Red Square. Established in the 15th Century and originally known as Trinity Square after the cathedral that stood on the […] Photograph of the week: A stormy evening in Moscow's Red Square is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post Photograph of the week: A stormy evening in Moscow's Red Square appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
Smith Travel Blog
Hôtel Thoumieux, Paris: Hotel of the week9 Oct 2015 | 4:27 amWe agree with Sabrina:Paris is always a good idea; especially if checking in to Left Bank stay Hôtel Thoumieux. We're eager to try its recently re-styled restaurant, and India Mahdavi-made-over boudoirs send us into reveries of waking up to warm croissants, hitting full-on flâneur mode, then popping a cork on a bottle of the bar's Loire Valley's finest before snuggling up under a leopard-print blanket. Ah, c'est bon… STYLE HANDSOME PRINTS SETTING SEVENTH HEAVEN WHY THIS WEEK? Recently overhauled in both style and sustenance, Hôtel Thoumieux's restaurant has reopened as Restaurant Sylvestre, a nod to its new chef, Sylvestre Wahid. Previously trained in France and New York, Chef Wahid has honed...
Why we love Morocco in the autumn8 Oct 2015 | 2:49 pmWhether you're hiking the Atlas Mountains with a sure-footed Berber or sipping mint tea in a Marrakech riad, autumn might be the best time of year to visit Morocco. And it's certainly better than playing conkers in the rain at home. Here are five reasons to go… PEAK SEASON Hiking the Atlas Mountains After the heat of summer has passed, and before the winter dumps its snow, the Atlas Mountains spend a few months in blissful equilibrium. The ochre peaks are dramatically sunlit and garnished with oak and juniper trees, and temperatures stay trekker-friendly all day long. Kasbah du Toubkal (above) has a rustic lodge up the mountain, which guests can trek to with the hotel's brilliant Berber...
Bed hopping: new hotels from Rome to London to Brazil7 Oct 2015 | 7:07 amOur hotel curation gang get about it bit, and for October they've discovered three sumptuous stays with supremely sexy bedrooms. Meet G Rough hotel in Rome, Artist Residence London and Insólito Boutique Hotel in beachy Buzios, Brazil. G ROUGH Rome, Italy: shabby-luxe style, quiet central setting and an eye for design. ARTIST RESIDENCE LONDON London, UK: coolly creative interiors, brilliant bistro and smiley service. INSÓLITO BOUTIQUE HOTEL Bùzios, Brazil: three quirky pools, hand-picked artwork and inviting hot tubs. Ready to duck under the covers? Check out our regularly updated list of new arrivals. And for more seductive stays, see the 20 hotels nominated for the Sexiest Bedroom in the...
Madrid's best rooftop bars6 Oct 2015 | 9:21 amThe Principal Madrid has given the city an intimate new rooftop bar. So in celebration of stiff drinks and fresh air, we bring you three of our favourite sky-high terraces in the Spanish capital. FOR INTIMATE ENCLAVES LA TERRAZA WHERE The Principal Madrid WHAT A newly opened, glass-walled, seventh-floor temple to tipples, with views that stretch (on a clear day, at least) to snow-capped mountains. And there's plenty of shrubbery for added privacy. DRINK For a fruity sharpener, try the triple orange G&T. For the best use of a coconut since the Swiss Family Robinson turned their hands to amateur architecture, we like the capucana con agua de cocos. FOR HIGH GLAMOUR THE ROOF WHERE ME Madrid WHAT...
High five from the English countryside5 Oct 2015 | 9:00 amTamara Kaye-Honey, founder of Los Angeles interior design studio House of Honey, is our kind of traveller: intrepid and in-the-know. It's why we tapped her as a Smith Hotel Awards judge, and to share top tips from a recent family escape outside of London. 1. BEST PLACE TO FIND RELIGION | AT THE CHAPEL BAKERY Take the scenic route southwest from London and stop off for a mid-morning nibble in Somerset At the Chapel bakery, a charming congregational church-turned-coaching-inn. The interiors – original stained glass windows, a chandelier of cascading glass baubles and walls adorned with contemporary art – are as much of a draw as the just-from-the-oven pastries, soups and hearty sandwiches (roast...
Nomadic Matt's Travel Site
The Annual Reader Survey: Help Make This Site Better!8 Oct 2015 | 6:01 amIt's that time again, everyone! No, not when we all rush out for Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks (ok, it's that time too) but time for my annual reader survey. Every year, I do a survey to find out how much you hate this website…I mean…what I've done right in the past year. I'm constantly working to improve this website's content, design, and user experience and your feedback is critical in doing that. Your responses help me pinpoint what works, what doesn't, and what you wish was here. I'm here to help you travel better and more often and, if I never ask what issues and concerns you have the most, I'll never be able to offer you the best help! I take all your comments and opinions to...
How to Travel Switzerland on a Budget5 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amSwitzerland conjures up many images. On one side, there are majestic mountains, delicious fondue and chocolate, big banks sheltering people's money, precision watches, and an orderly society. On the other, heart attack–inducing prices: $8 USD coffee or beer?! $50 steaks?! A $15 menu at McDonald's?! $35-40 hostel beds?! WTH! Switzerland is rated the most expensive country in the world to visit, with Geneva and Zurich being two of the ten most expensive cities to live in. And because it is so expensive, it's easy to see why so many people skip over the country and wait until they are older and (hopefully) wealthier. When I mentioned I was visiting Switzerland on a budget, many people shook their head...
How to Take the Perfect Photo: Advanced Techniques1 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amToday, professional photographer Laurence Norah of Finding the Universe, continues his five part series on taking better travel photos. Photographs are an important part of the travel experience and with so many of you being budding photographers, Laurence's series is here to help you improve your photography skills. We've gone a lot of the basics in this series so, in part four, Laurence is taking it up a notch to give some advanced photography techniques such as long exposure shots, HDR, star shooting, and more! One of the challenges we face as travelers is that so many of the places we visit have already been photographed extensively. In today's post, I want to share with you some techniques that will...
From Pencils to Planes: An Update on FLYTE28 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amIn July, I launched a new charitable foundation called The Foundation for Learning and Youth Travel Education (FLYTE) to raise money for high schools in rural and low-income communities so that they may send their students on international educational trips. Since it launched, we've raised $11,400! First, I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you! This is completely awesome! Your support means so much to me and to the students we'll be assisting. Together we are well on the way to successfully funding our first trip. Today I want to tell you more about FLYTE and answer some questions many of you have asked since I first wrote about the organization. For years I've been wondering how I could get...
9 Ways to Stay Safe (and Sane) in Morocco24 Sep 2015 | 5:26 amWandering around the Fez medina, I could feel the stares. "Where are you going? Want to go to the tanneries? I'll take you. No money. Don't worry!" the medina's faux guides said as they chased me down the street. "No, I'm fine," I'd reply, trying to dodge them at every turn. Turning down side streets, stopping to look at a map, or admiring a view caused them and any nearby vendor to pounce and badger me, inviting me into stores, restaurants, and attractions. There were moments when I would turn down streets only to have my spidey sense tell me to turn back. A few guys tried to corner me before I managed to slip into a store. Heck, even a little kid tried to pick my pocket. While other...
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
News Related To Bluegreen28 Sep 2015 | 7:37 amThis story may be of interest to any current or future Bluegreen owners.� Or not, it's up to you to decide.Thanks to our friends at Inside the Gate for this story which I am passing on unedited.In a decision that has been anticipated for quite some time, U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles has given Alan B. Levan 90 days to step down as chairman and CEO of both BBX Capital Corp. and BFC Financial Corp. following a civil fraud judgment. The decision follows a jury trial verdict of securities fraud and accounting fraud against Levan and BBX involving misleading statements made by Levan about the health of development loans at former BBX subsidiary BankAtlantic during an investor conference call in 2007. The...
What You Need To Know When Buying A Timeshare-Part 410 Sep 2015 | 6:59 amAh yes, apologies...between too many days in the mid 90s with 80% humidity and a full e-mail box every day from confused new timeshare owners who didn't do any homework prior to plopping down their credit card for $15,000 and just today $22,000...I've neglected this important thread.So I've given you some information on terms /conditions, maintenance fees and assessments.Today the multi-part question you need to ask is:Is the resort under developer control or HOA control and if HOA control, who is on the board, can an individual owner be on the board and what has the board done lately?If you are unsure about why these are important questions to ask, what an HOA is and what does it do and why it's important...
Ever Wanted To Travel To Portugal? You Will After This.4 Sep 2015 | 6:13 amToday in the timeshare blog, we're delighted to reprint this wonderful review of 10 Great Portuguese Treasures directly from our friends at Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket (http://www.timeshare-hypermarket.com/) a wonderful resale company based in the UK.� Give them a look!TEN GREAT PORTUGUESE TREASURES!You don't have to fly half-way round the world to find some truely awe-inspiring beaches and costal curiosities that make for stunning holiday snaps. Perhaps the most beautiful coastline in Europe, the Algarve is awash with beauty spots that perhaps don't always get the fame they deserve.Here's our ten favourite sights along this impressive coast along with links to some great 360 degree panoramas on...
What You Need To Known When Buying A Timeshare-Part 33 Sep 2015 | 10:20 amWell, we've talked briefly about understanding all the terms and conditions as well as those pesky annual fees.Today, it's Special Assessments. Are there any special assessments, and if so, what are they, and what are they for? Although the developer or the HOA does have the right to levy special assessments, individual owners are entitled to know what the assessment is for.� If the resort has levied multiple special assessments throughout the years, it might be an indication of financial instability.This thread will resume on Monday.� Tomorrow we take a break as we'll have a Guest Blog from our friends at Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket on The Algarve in Portugal!Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare...
What You Need To Know When Buying A Timeshare-Part 22 Sep 2015 | 6:10 amYesterday's tip was to be certain you fully understood all the terms and conditions of the contract.Today's tip:Be certain to ask what the current maintenance fees are, what is the five (5) year history of those fees and what do they cover?In 2014, the average maintenance fees for a US based timeshare was $845.� Anything 25% higher or lower than that warrants some additional questions on your part. If the fees have risen annual for the past five years anything more than 10% per year, again, stop and ask some more questions.� If you don't get an answer in writing to either of those questions, WALK AWAY.�Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader
GoNOMAD Travel
Wroclaw, City of 100 Bridges7 Oct 2015 | 10:54 amWroclaw, City of 100 bridges �Exploring Poland's fourth largest city � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Bus Travel is Booming7 Oct 2015 | 8:33 amThe Changing Climate of Bus Transportation It's not glamourous, but bus travel in Europe is improving every day Traveling by bus is becoming more accessible and more popular around Europe.By Andy... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
An Interview With the Author of A Walk For Sunshine4 Oct 2015 | 6:52 pmThe Ins and Outs of the Appalachian Trail Jeff Alt celebrates at the end of the Appalachian Trail. �Photos by Jeff Alt. � By Andy Christian Castillo A Walk For Sunshine.Each year,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Tennessee: A Roadtrip to Bonnaroo2 Oct 2015 | 9:23 amBonnaroo: Celebrating All Kinds of Music & Art Traveling 830 Miles for a Weekend Full of Music Creating memories at Bonnaroo in Tennessee. Danielle Aihini Photos. By Danielle Aihini The... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Hungary: Misadventures Below Budapest1 Oct 2015 | 9:31 pmBurrowing Beneath Budapest By James Michael Dorsey�� Walking to the cave.�It was my final two days at the venerable Gellart in Budapest, a grand and aging old world hang out of the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel
PHOTO: Lake Bled in Triglav National Park, Slovenia9 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amClick on above photo to view it in large format: View from Bled Castle over Lake Bled, Slovenia, home to tiny Bled Island, a destination for pilgrims visiting a church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. (Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)The post PHOTO: Lake Bled in Triglav National Park, Slovenia appeared first on Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel.
PHOTO: Waterfall in Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia7 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amClick on above photo to view it in large format: Waterfalls big and small, aquamarine rapids, and tortured rock formations create stunning scenery in Vintgar Gorge, near Lake Bled, Slovenia. (Visited 25 times, 25 visits today)The post PHOTO: Waterfall in Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia appeared first on Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel.
There's More to Slovenia's Triglav National Park Than Lake Bled6 Oct 2015 | 7:00 amIt was drizzling by the time I arrived at Vintgar Gorge, but not enough to discourage me from making the hike. Truthfully, the gorge had not even been on my radar. I had taken the bus to Lake Bohinj in Slovenia's Triglav National Park the day before, intending to work my way back to Ljubljana via Lake Bled, stopping for a few hours in each place. But one look at Lake Bohinj, with its encircling Karst limestone towers, emerald water, and pocket beaches, and knew I had to hike around it. View back to stone bridge and town of Lake Bohinj I asked how long it would take to make the hike and was told two hours, three at the most. I made a quick calculation. Three hours to circle Lake Bohinj and a 20-minute bus...
PHOTO: Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park, Slovenia5 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amClick on above photo to view it in large format: Beautiful Lake Bohinj in Triglav Natinal Park in Slovenia, is surrounded by spectacular Karst limestone hills. A trail around the lake can be hiked in about four hours. (Visited 79 times, 79 visits today)The post PHOTO: Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park, Slovenia appeared first on Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel.
Scary Slovenian Folk Traditions3 Oct 2015 | 1:00 pmThe man behind the counter at Ptuj Castle suggested I begin my tour at a display of costumes and masks from Slovenian folk traditions and tales. "But I have to warn you," he said. "Just the other day a man told me it was the scariest thing he'd ever seen." He shook his head when I laughed. "I'm not kidding. The guy was practically shaking when he left." Costumes and masks from Slovenian folk traditions and tales are on display at Ptuj Castle Curious, I wandered among abominable snowman-like creatures with feathered headdresses, devils with long red tongues, headless hens, and old women carrying old men in baskets strapped to their backs. Believed to assure good luck and productive crops, for...
No Crowds
Ai Weiwei - a virtual tour of China23 Sep 2015 | 9:06 amSince 2005, No Crowds has been brilliantly supported by the world's most patient Editor. He fixes my spelling, puts up with my inability to keep to a schedule and is good natured about being dragged to 1001 events that might someday produce a post. After we attended the opening of the Ai Weiwei exhibition at the Royal Academy in London, he strongly suggested I write something about it. My reply: well if you feel so strongly about it, you write it. And so, he didWhen the NoCrowds blogster wants you to accompany her to a cultural event, the editor refuses at his peril.� Last week we went to the opening of the Ai Weiwei show at the Royal Academy of Arts.� Having braved rush hour traffic and monsoon like rain,...
Hanging Out in Hunt Country14 Sep 2015 | 7:36 amBack in the spring of 2014, No Crowds wrote about college-touring in the US in Bataan Death March? No our baby is going to college. Recently, we dropped that very same baby off at the University of Virginia and then high-tailed it down to North Carolina to get out of her way. After a lovely visit with The Tribe – my family and friends in the great State – it was time to head back to London. But first, we had to face the always-horrific drive up Interstate 95 to Dulles Airport. How I hate that highway. I used to love it as a child when we would cruise down from New York with my mother, the Mario Andretti of transplanted southerners, eager to get home. With no regard for speed limits or bodily functions -...
Compartir - Delightful Dining for the Disorganised9 Sep 2015 | 6:01 amI don't know about you, but the one thing I do not want to be on my summer holiday is … organized. That's for the winter. Well, at least that is my aspiration for the winter. In summer, I want sunshine and spontaneity but for that, of course, you pay a price.� Back in the day, you couldn't eat at the world famous el Bulli restaurant near Roses in Catalonia if you didn't plan a military operation months or even years in advance. Annually, they would get over a million reservation requests for 8,000 covers. Those are not good odds. But today, in the seaside town of Cadaques on the Costa Brava in Spain, where No Crowds has been holidaying for the last 20 years (you can read related posts here), three...
Why We Travel24 Jun 2015 | 3:49 am"Please know that I am aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it." Emilia EarhartWhen I was growing up, my parents often travelled to faraway lands. It didn't worry me during the day, but at night I dreamt over and over again that they died in a plane crash. �I dreamt it so often that I taught myself how to control the story. Just as the plane was about to hit the ground, I would tell myself to wake up and not to worry, it was only a dream. One night, probably from boredom or just curiosity, I let the dream finish its terrible trajectory.� This night the plane crashed. Everyone aboard was killed. At the funeral, my father was quietly lowered into the ground. My mother, by contrast,...
The Gardens at Highgrove4 Oct 2014 | 6:15 amI visit gardens the way most folks watch MasterChef, I love to watch someone else perform but I haven't a clue how to garden. Still, when the announcement arrived from my daughter's school that tickets had been obtained to tour the Prince of Wales's gardens at Highgrove, I leapt at the chance. MasterChef Grand Finale here I come.It's a bit complicated getting oneself to Highgrove southwest of Tetsbury in the Cotswolds. First, you must pre-book a ticket from the website or you can call the booking office on 0207 766 7310. �I've been told tickets for the season go fast. On arrival, you must show a photo ID to get in. Public transport involves a train journey and a pre-booked taxi. Highgrove maintains...
The Longest Way Home | Travel Blog
Celebrating Indra Jatra (Yenya) festival in Kathmandu30 Sep 2015 | 4:08 pmIndra Jatra in Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur) Indra Jatra is Kathmandu's largest festival After the Gai Jatra festival comes Indra Jatra. And between them are a number of smaller festivals and celebrations. Yes, this is Nepal's peak time of year for festivals! For tourists visiting Nepal it is a unique opportunity to not only experience an awesome spectacle but also a chance to witness the largest traditional festival in Kathmandu along with catching a glimpse of the Living Goddesses of the valley – the Kumari. The huge statue of Bhairab unveiled in Kathmandu Durbar Square for Indra Jatra What is Indra Jatra about? Indra Jatra is known traditionally as Yanya Punhi which is Newari (the original...
Nepal Celebrates its New Constitution21 Sep 2015 | 12:51 amNepals future looks on at what the constitution will bring Nine long years after Nepal's civil war the people finally have a constitution About nine years ago I arrived in Nepal. The country had just ended a civil war, had removed a monarchy and were still battling Maoist violence. Bandas (strikes were common) as were riots and protests. For the following nine years political turmoil hindered nearly all of Nepal's development. People of all ages helped to make a giant Nepal country map on the road from flour and colored powder. Nepal's downward struggle for democracy Nepal was once a country that exported produce to India but now imports most of their agricultural consumables from India. It is a...
25% off Nepal Guidebooks to mark the start of peak season!14 Sep 2015 | 11:00 pm� 25% off Kathmandu Valley Guidebook! September 15th marks the offical start to peak season in Nepal While some hoteliers will make you believe "September", as in September 1st, is the start to the peak season in Nepal, it's really September 15th. The reason for this is simple – sometimes the monsoon season hangs on a few weeks. This year the monsoon season has ended early. So the rains have eased and the bright blue Nepalese sky is starting to shine through. This is the start of perfect weather for trekking, jungle adventures, white water rafting and heritage visiting. From now until December is the best time to visit Nepal! 25% off all the best selling Nepal guidebooks With the year that Nepal has had...
Gai Jatra – Nepal's cow festival to celebrate the dead30 Aug 2015 | 5:10 amGai Jatra in Kathmandu – Festival of the Cow and remembering the Dead � Given the year, the 2015 Gai Jatra (Gaijatra / Sa Paru) festival in Nepal is perhaps one of the most meaningful events of the year for many families who lost loved ones. The festival has a long history dating back further than its 17th century modern day interpretation. The mean of Gai Jatra is literally – Gai – "Cow" and Jatra – "Festival". A young girl dressed as a cow during Gai Jatra (the cow face is printed on the colorful headdress) So what do cows and the celebration of death have to do with each other. And why is it a festival?! Read on to discover more about this amazing festival in Nepal. History of Gai Jatra Firstly,...
Is China still allowing foreign tourists to visit Tibet?25 Aug 2015 | 4:00 pmThe Potala Palace Lhasa, Tibet Yes, you can visit Tibet in 2015/2016 but here are some things to know first One of the most popular questions I get is how to travel from Nepal to Tibet overland. It's a very easy thing to do as that previous link to my guide will show. Likewise from mainland China into Tibet it's also very easy. Due to strict permits and security checks there really is only one option – take a tour. However, since the 2008 uprising in Tibet, China has constantly changed the regulations, document requirements and outright closed off access to Tibet for everyone. Last week new rumors popped up that China was planning to close off Tibet to foreign visitors for the 2015 – early 2016 seasons as...
My Itchy Travel Feet
Nine October Travel Destinations for Active Boomers9 Oct 2015 | 1:05 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/myitchytravelfeet Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us.
Romantic Boomer Getaway in Ogunquit, Maine8 Oct 2015 | 5:57 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/myitchytravelfeet Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us.
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ArrangeYourVacation Travel Blog
Ways to Avoid Refunding Unhappy Vacation Rental Guests7 Oct 2015 | 1:49 amDo You Have a Refund Policy? You should add there: "I do ask that you inform us of the situation when you check in or at least while the housekeeping staff are on the property. Please do not eat the steak and then ask for a refund." No matter what you do or how many […]
Beautiful Ibiza: Beyond the club scene2 Oct 2015 | 1:52 amForget everything you've heard about Ibiza.; the island, situated in Spain's Balearic archipelago, deserves far more than its label as the 'party capital of the world'. Whilst it may be famous for its clubbing scene, sun-soaked Ibiza also has its share of pristine beaches, cultural landmarks, quaint villages and fantastic restaurants. In fact, holidays to […]
Top 7 Best Vacation Rentals Books And Manuals15 Jan 2015 | 12:05 amThere are so many opportunities that are available when referring to vacation rentals. The big problem is that it is difficult to realize what the best options are. It is really important that you take advantage of the education that is already available for you. There are countless vacation rentals books and manuals that you […]
Social Media for Vacation Rentals8 Feb 2011 | 12:57 pmUse Social Media To Improve The Service You Can Offer To Guests At Your Hotel or Vacation Rental The unfaltering rise in social media is changing the way vacation rentals, hotels and tour operators are seeing their business develop and they need to embrace it to remain at the top of their game. Sites such […]
5 of Europe's Best Kept Secret Beaches24 Nov 2010 | 12:35 amLet's face it, there are few places left in the world that are still unspoilt and can provide a secluded getaway for those times when you just don't want to take in any of the "local culture". However, if you're willing to try that little bit harder than the masses to find your little piece […]
Almost Fearless: Full Feed
Home Again, Home Again7 Oct 2015 | 4:10 amIt was nice to come home to Oaxaca and think, "yes, finally." I was a little worried, actually, I have this bad habit of getting sick of places, or wanting the next, new, big thing. After a month of travel from Spain to Thailand to Japan and back again, I felt relieved. Happy. This is my place. And as someone on my Facebook wall said, "If you like it so much, you should have stayed." Indeed. But then how would I know? And of course, I settled the age old question of… was my newly acquired luggage, purchased in Thailand to lug home Thai goodies (like 4 lbs of curry and several large bottles of fish sauce) – big enough to fit both of my children? Yes. (And I think they might weigh much less than the 42...
Crashing Tokyo30 Sep 2015 | 5:34 amThe movie "Lost in Translation" imparted a certain vision of Tokyo for me, and I don't know if it's because of that movie or just the way Tokyo is as a city, but I can't help but feel that same looming sense of being intensely crowded and intensely alone all at the same time. I'm here for a few days, it's not even possible to get to know one neighborhood in that time, never mind an entire mega-city, but I'm striking out, mostly at random, it doesn't even matter to me where I go because it's all so different and new. Take me anywhere! I think and head towards the nearest metro stop. The food of course is amazing. The sushi, to die for. I have been eating it every day since I've arrived, and I don't even...
13 Moments from #BigMagic that Resonated28 Sep 2015 | 11:54 pmI read Big Magic on a six-hour flight from Bangkok to Tokyo. That quick. I don't want strip out the best stories in the book and ruin any of the little delights you'll find but I take notes as I read, and here are some of the key ideas that really resonated with me. In fact: here's the crazy thing — these are things that I already teach in my workshops and creative camps. There's been a number of writers lately, like Liz Gilbert… like Brené Brown, who are writing about vulnerability, authenticity, creativity in a way that makes so much more sense from the practical position of: "how do I just get on with it and have a creative career?" How do you find inspiration? How do know if you're good enough? How...
New Create Camp Dates, a Book Writing Workshop & Big Magic28 Sep 2015 | 4:01 amI have so many exciting things to share, I'm just going to put them all in one post. Note: I am giving away copies of Elizabeth Gilbert's new book Big Magic and running a 48 hour flash sale on all workshops/courses (ends Sept 30th), so scroll down for details. New Dates for Create Camp: This is the week-long event where we rent a house, eat delicious food, work on our projects and just get stuff done. I do limited teaching in the mornings, focusing on the creative principles of: letting go of perfectionism, finding clarity (we have to chase our curiosity not what we think we "should" be doing, which is a creative non-starter), creating workflows, how to structure our creative work for our financial...
Saying Goodbye to Thailand26 Sep 2015 | 9:16 amI just had five days in Thailand… just enough time to eat. Then eat some more. Then eat again. I also picked up all the ingredients necessary to make a lot of these dishes at home. I got kaffir limes (which I hope to use the seeds to grow lime trees in Mexico, yum), seed packets of Thai chiles, cilantro, Thai sweet basil, Thai holy basil, and Thai parsley. I got fresh galangal, which I should be able to regrow, but also galangal powder if I get desperate. I got several types of fish sauce, oyster sauce, golden mountain sauce. Two jars of nahm prik. Dried chiles, and dried kaffir lime leaves. Buckets of curry paste: green, red, massaman, panang. A box of Thai tea. My luggage, the one I bought specifically...
Family Travel Blog | Family Vacation Inspiration |The Mother of all Trips
Peace and justice: Two United Nations Global Goals close to home16 Sep 2015 | 4:55 am"Welcome, welcome, welcome," a small brown-skinned man in a bright orange jacket greeted us as if we were walking into his living room and not onto a cracked sidewalk under a lowering sky. The street was lined with brick row houses, some with boarded windows that looked like blackened teeth. He stuck out his hand, pumped my arm. "Where are we?" my 12-year-old son Tommy leaned over and whispered in my ear as I smiled and nodded and said hello in return. It was a fair question. We had only been in the car for twenty minutes, headed a dozen miles up the Interstate from our home in Newark, Delaware to Wilmington, a place that was not supposed to be unfamiliar. In the annals of our traveling family, this...
San Diego with kids: Up close with animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park4 Jun 2015 | 12:16 pmCan you spot the rhinos? I first visited the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 1985. I think I may have been wearing those thick bunch socks with my Reeboks and a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. I think it may also have been called the San Diego Wild Animal Park at the time. But what I remember for certain is that we rode a monorail around a large area where giraffes and rhinos roamed freely and that I thought this was the most amazing zoo I'd ever visited because: Monorail! So when I planned a multigenerational spring break trip to San Diego with my in-laws and 10- and 12-year-old sons, I knew that a visit to the Safari Park needed to be part of our itinerary. This was especially true because my younger son is an...
San Diego with kids: A visit to the USS Midway1 Jun 2015 | 11:51 amEven if you think you aren't interested in military history or aircraft carriers, trust me – you and your family will enjoy a visit to the USS Midway. The Midway, which my family was able to visit at a significant discount thanks to the team at the San Diego Tourism Authority, was the longest serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century and saw action in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. It was decommissioned in 1992 and is docked near downtown San Diego. That's all well and good, but here's something more than just facts: Thanks to its sheer size, ingenuity, physics, to say nothing of the fact that when it was in service its kitchens used to make and serve 500 pies daily, the USS Midway is straight...
The Dirty Girl Mud Run: Three reasons I'll be there21 Apr 2015 | 11:48 amPart 1: Traveling mom = Running mom It still amazes me that I run. As in, I'm surprised every single time I do it. For many years one of my favorite jokes is that I would only ever run if I discovered a lion roaming my neighborhood. No marathons or races of any kind for me. No training. No discussion, ever, of my workouts. No workouts to discuss beyond hot yoga classes and a bit of vigorous walking. But the reality is that as my children got older, I also aged. And in what I view as a supremely unfair machination of the universe, as they grew more competent and strong, I felt less so. There were aches and pains where once I had none. My midsection softened and spread with no respect for the boundaries...
Two scenes from a family ski vacation15 Feb 2015 | 5:00 pmI know that one thing parents worry the most about when traveling with their children are the "what ifs". What if someone gets sick? What if someone gets hurt? What if I make a bad choice and our time together is ruined? (And if you're looking for a list of what to have on hand to help in the event of minor disasters, the final chapter of my book contains that very thing.) The two anecdotes in this post come from a ski weekend at Magic Mountain in southern Vermont. I'm sharing them because in general the weekend was wonderful. We stayed in a comfortable lodge at the base of the mountain; it snowed so much that we were there for a few unexpected extra days; the conditions were stellar and we...
Cheap Flights to Hawaii | Europe to All Islands $494 RT30 Sep 2015 | 8:31 amA great airfare sale this morning that saves up to 75% off the normal cost of cheap flights to Hawaii. Fares are valid starting in Europe only, not in Hawaii. Act quickly for a once in a lifetime... Please click link above. Mahalo for subscribing to Beat of Hawaii!
Cheap Flights to Hawaii | $214+ Each Way30 Sep 2015 | 4:50 amUpdated 9/20/15. Fares have gone up slightly in this next round of fall Hawaii airfare sales. Now starting from $214 each way. Purchase by October 5, 2015 or sooner for best pricing and availability.... Please click link above. Mahalo for subscribing to Beat of Hawaii!
Return of Hawaii Vacation Deals From AA.com Under $500 RT28 Sep 2015 | 3:34 amHawaii vacation deals have returned again today. These first started back on September 16, and they've now come back three times. So there's another great opportunity to have reasonably... Please click link above. Mahalo for subscribing to Beat of Hawaii!
Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii | Hawaii Vacation Deals23 Sep 2015 | 11:17 amOur four-step 2015/2016 guide to Hawaii vacation deals features the best time for cheap flights to Hawaii and how much you can expect to pay. We just updated them in September 2015 with our latest... Please click link above. Mahalo for subscribing to Beat of Hawaii!
More Fall Hawaii Deals From $338 Round Trip!9 Sep 2015 | 4:04 pmIf you're looking for more great Hawaii deals for fall 2015, look no further. The next round of airfare sales is upon us. Included are 17 routes, 11 of which are priced at under $400 round trip... Please click link above. Mahalo for subscribing to Beat of Hawaii!
Airport parking – cheapest is not always best1 Oct 2015 | 7:11 amAirport parking, one of those annoying essentials that, if you leave it to the last minute, can end up adding significant cost to your otherwise carefully budgeted getaway. Two bits of advice; firstly, don't leave it to the last minute to book and secondly, do shop around online for the best deal. Prices (often for the same car park) can vary wildly and just googling 'cheapest deal' doesn't necessarily get the best result. I book my car parking as soon as I've booked my flights – unless you can wangle a lift to the airport its something you are going to have to have and its better to get it booked, paid for and forgotten about as soon as. Drive up rates will always be significantly more than...
Introduction of Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to Canada from March 15th, 201629 Apr 2015 | 1:43 amAnnouncement from the Canadian Tourism Commission: "Under Canada's Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), citizens from countries other than the United States, who do not need a visa to enter Canada, will need to obtain online authorisation before flying to Canada, unless otherwise exempted. This new entry requirement is not mandatory until March 15th, 2016. However, beginning on August 1, 2015, eligible travellers will have the opportunity to go online and apply for their eTA. The earlier travellers get their eTA, the sooner they will benefit from knowing they have been pre screened to enter Canada. A fee of $7 is payable for processing an application for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) and the...
Puglia – rural tourism at its best24 Apr 2015 | 5:50 amThings are happening down on the farm in Puglia…mostly they are turning into B+B's and luxury boutique hotels. If you want to truly engage with the rural tranquillity that Puglia undoubtedly offers – the ancient olive trees, flower filled meadows and pretty, white washed towns, the abundant produce of the iron rich soil – some of the best accommodation can be found at converted 'Masserie'. It's an Italian word with no direct translation but essentially a Masseria (singular) is a rather like a homestead. Generally they are a cluster of farm buildings, the main one originally housing the owners and surrounded by smaller buildings for the farmworkers and livestock – often there will also be a small chapel, an...
USA visa application, interview process and cost22 Apr 2015 | 8:28 amToday I had the task of renewing my i-visa, the category of visa allocated to Foreign Media visiting the US for whatever purpose. In my case it is to write about, film and generally promote tourism to the US but, no matter, the powers that be say a visa is required. Having navigated the detailed online application process (see here to find out if you need a visa), I turned up as instructed for my 9am appointment at the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square. The first thing to know is that an 'appointment' does not mean a time just for you, no, no, this is merely the time you join the queue to enter the building. Luckily it was a sunny, if chilly, morning so we didn't have to wait in the rain but by 9am four,...
Palm Springs – best day trip ever6 Mar 2015 | 9:08 amWe were back in Palm Springs over the New Year and it seems mean not to share what was, for us, a highlight of our Southern California trip. Like most highlights, this one came about by recommendation from a local – Mr 'party starter' himself, the very lovely Alex Goldy from the very cool Ace Hotel (the place to stay in Palm Springs if you are not, as we were, AirBnBing it). So, it was New Years Day, the day after the night before at the Ace New Year's Eve party and, hangovers be damned, we were on a mission to explore the famous Joshua Tree National Park. A National Park with serious street cred for my music loving family, what with its famous desert recording studios and all. Fate was playing its part...
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Opens In Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas9 Oct 2015 | 10:00 amInkaterra, Peru's leader in luxury sustainable tourism, is delighted to announce the opening of its sixth property, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, between Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Hidden Treasures of the Great Wall of China: Tips for taking the path less traveled1 Oct 2015 | 10:00 amMost people who come to China for a visit aim to see the Great Wall. One of China's most popular historical monuments, it spans thousands of miles and winds through so many beautiful sceneries and landscapes of the country and makes for a wonderful sightseeing experience
Riding in Cappadocia The Land of the Beautiful Horses by Ann Jamieson1 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amThe boarding call came over the loudspeaker: Istanbul. My plane was boarding for Istanbul, where I would catch a connecting flight to Kayseri, and then be picked up by Akhal-Teke Horse Center for my horseback trek in Cappadocia. When I told people I was headed to Turkey, I got one of two reactions. One was: That's amazing! You are so lucky! The other response was: Turkey? Why are you going to Turkey? And the answer to that was: Oh, for so many reasons
Paul Simon: Words and Music exhibit is hitting the road30 Sep 2015 | 9:00 amThe first stop is in Baltimore at Jewish Museum of Maryland (JMM) in Baltimore with films, videos of select performances and more than 80 artifacts.
Discover Barcelona on a Budget: Top 5 Tips30 Sep 2015 | 8:00 amBarcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, home to amazing Modernisme architecture, beautiful beaches, magical mountain trails and much, more. There are plenty of ways to enjoy all of Barcelona's gems without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips to get you started.
See what's new at Dad's Guide to WDW
A Price Increase Has Struck Again!4 Oct 2015 | 7:42 amSince we don't really have a say in when Disney increases prices of anything, I'll just give you the news straight. The annual pass prices have risen
New Oktoberfest Menu at Min and Bills!3 Oct 2015 | 7:16 amMin and Bill's Dockside Diner, the big blue steamer anchored along side Echo Lake at Disney's Hollywood Studios, is now serving up a new Oktoberfest menu.
Howdy Partners! A Frontierland Restaurant has a New Menu!3 Oct 2015 | 6:43 amYee haw! Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café has a new menu! New menu - Photo by Debbie Hudson The previous menu at Pecos Bill contained the "staples"
Downtown Disney is Officially Disney Springs!1 Oct 2015 | 2:20 pmIt's official- Downtown Disney is now Disney Springs! Disney Springs is here - Photo by WDW Shutterbug Downtown Disney originally debuted in 1975
Walt Disney World - The Place Where Dreams Come True29 Sep 2015 | 11:20 amDreams really do come true on a Walt Disney World Vacation. Here at Dad's Guide to WDW we want to help you create the Perfect Vacation experience. Come on in and have some fun.
tripwolf travel blog - your travel guide
The most fascinating volcanoes in the world3 Oct 2015 | 11:00 pmTweetTranslated from the German version of this article. They bubble, steam and spit lava. They ravage without mercy and give new life. They are astoundingly beautiful and yet simultaneously terrifying, Volcanoes create a fascination within us like no other force in nature. Today we'll show you some of the most fascinating volcanoes in the world. […] The post The most fascinating volcanoes in the world appeared first on tripwolf travel blog - your travel guide.
Your Ultimate Travel Guide when in Rome30 Sep 2015 | 9:55 amTweetPowered by Expedia.co.uk. Rome is one of the world's great destinations, with heaps of historical and cultural artifacts in every nook of the city, delicious food, and an endless array of artistic masterpieces. From the Roman Forum to Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, anyone looking for the ultimate in holiday exploration and discovery will […] The post Your Ultimate Travel Guide when in Rome appeared first on tripwolf travel blog - your travel guide.
The 10 Most Spectacular Streets in the World26 Sep 2015 | 11:00 pmTweetTranslated from the German version of this article. They lie at dizzying heights, cross steep mountain passes, have been worn into rocks or possess astounding views. The most amazing streets in the world really have something special about them. Today we'll show you which streets really take our breath away. 1. Yungas-Straße, Bolivia The most […] The post The 10 Most Spectacular Streets in the World appeared first on tripwolf travel blog - your travel guide.
A guide to saving enough money to travel the world13 Sep 2015 | 12:00 amTweetTranslated from the German version of this article. � � "I'd love to travel the world too, but I just can't afford it." How many times have globetrotters heard this phrase? The bad news: yes, traveling is an expensive hobby. The good news: with a bit of prioritization, you can travel the world as well. […] The post A guide to saving enough money to travel the world appeared first on tripwolf travel blog - your travel guide.
Myths About Bike Tours That Stops You From Having Fun8 Sep 2015 | 6:44 amTweetPowered by Cycling Express. They say the best way to travel around a city is through walking. You travel on your own pace, and even immerse with the people and culture. But do you really need to walk if you can ride a bike? Bike tours are getting popular among tourists because they can check […] The post Myths About Bike Tours That Stops You From Having Fun appeared first on tripwolf travel blog - your travel guide.
My Several Worlds
France: Food and Drink Checklist8 Oct 2015 | 11:36 pmLong associated with Michelin Stars, high quality local ingredients and some of the best red wines in the world, France's dining scene is legendary. From simple provincial cooking to indulgent gourmet meals, every visitor on any budget can sample its culinary offerings to get a taste of this scrumptious European country. Here are ten foods and drinks that you really should try during a stay in France. Crepes & cider Crepes (sweet) and galettes (savoury) are France's answer to the English sandwich or the American burger. Originally from Brittany, they are now served in creperie stands on many corners of the biggest cities. Fill it with cheese and tomatoes or simply with a shake of sugar. Eat yours with a...
Chronic Illness – Pacing For Pain Management28 Sep 2015 | 2:44 amToday's post is about chronic illness and pacing for pain management, and since today – September 28th, 2015 – kicks off Invisible Illness Awareness Week 2015, I thought it might be the perfect time to explain what pacing is, and why it's important to people who are chronically ill, like me. For those of you who are new to this site, I am a chronically ill Canadian expat living in Taiwan, and I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Follow the link to read more about my invisible illnesses. (These are the meds and supplements I have to take each week to keep my immune system in check. I will be on them for the rest of my life. This is my invisible fight. I am fighting...
Fibro-What? Kicking Fibromyalgia To The Curb8 Sep 2015 | 1:19 amIt has been a while since my last update. This post is for Invisible Illness Awareness Week, which starts on September 28th, 2015 and ends on October 4, 2015. I've been so sick this year, there has been no time to do anything but focus on getting my life back on track. I just started coming out of my eight month battle with these invisible illnesses of mine in early June. (Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, and ME are my sworn enemies.) This blog is supposed to be about travel and cultures in Asia, but I haven't had the strength or desire to write until towards the end of July, and by then, I had six months worth of work to catch up on. (I have written other articles on MSW about traveling with chronic...
Istanbul: Small Budget, Good Times25 Aug 2015 | 12:37 amTurkey is the meeting point of two continents where you can indulge in the best of Asian and European lifestyle, culture and food! If you book one of the cheap holidays to the capital city of Istanbul that are regularly available throughout the year, make sure you take a look at this guide to help you keep within a low budget. 1. Foodies can immerse themselves into the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of one of the oldest spice markets in the world, Istanbul's Spice Bazaar. Peruse the myriad spices, herbs, nuts, vegetables and dried fruits. There are also herbal remedy stalls for the mind, body and soul. 2. It's not a holiday without a visit to the beach, so head to Turkey's shores for Mediterranean sun...
Voodoo Doughnuts Taipei – A New Doughnut King in Town25 Jul 2015 | 9:09 pmMove over Krispy Kreme. There is a new Doughnut King in town! Voodoo Doughnuts from Portland, Oregon has brought their sugary magic-filled doughnuts to Taipei. The shop has been open for about a month and a half for its soft opening in preparation for their grand opening event on July 18, 2015. It's their first store to open in Asia. As luck would have it, my friends Dean and Hedway live near Voodoo Doughnuts. Hedway spotted their soft opening event while driving by on his scooter one day. He was one of the very first to walk away with a pack of doughnuts during their soft opening in late May. He showed up at dinner that night with a full candy cotton pink box for us to dine on. I was hooked from the very...
Lanzarote Information - Holidays, car hire and information in Lanzarote
Carnivals in Lanzarote 20169 Oct 2015 | 2:43 amCarnival is a fantastic time to enjoy some winter sunshine in Lanzarote as it tends to coincide with the half term school holidays. CARNAVAL from Monso Perez on Vimeo. Only the Ayuntamiento de Tías had confirmed the date for Puerto del Carmen prior to this morning, when the Ayuntamiento de Teguise sent us the provisional dates for the remainder of the carnivals in Lanzarote for 2016. Teguise council have just opened a vote for their theme, which includes 1001 Arabian Nights, Pure Brasil Carnival, Gods of the Sea and a Tribute to Carnival Groups. If you want to have your say, just click the voting box on the top right of their website Teguise.es before the 18th October. They are planning to present their...
English cinema in Lanzarote 15th October 20159 Oct 2015 | 2:06 amThere are still two movies in English shown next week, but only on Thursday the 15th of October: At Multicines Atlántida in Arrecife remains unchanged at 19:50h "Irrational Man". Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) is a philosophy professor on a small town college campus who is going through an existential crisis� marked by impotence and alcoholism.� He gives his life a new purpose when he starts a relationship with his student Jill Pollard (Emma Stone) while trying to rationalise homicide. Also starring Parker Posey as Rita Richards, an unhappy faculty wife, and Jamie Blackley Jill´s boyfriend Roy. Written and directed by Woody Allen, this dark but funny comedy has got, generally, quite good reviews. At...
New Delivery For A Little Bit Bazar9 Oct 2015 | 1:15 amThe family run shop, which specialises in goods offering a taste of home, has told us they had a new delivery in last week. We were quite excited to see: <ul> <li>Minstrels treat bags</li> <li>Mustard pickle</li> <li>Cranberry sauce</li> <li>Goblin Irish Stew,Hot Pot & Steak & Kidney Pudding</li> <li>Pearls Farmhouse Fruit Cake</li> <li>Hula Hoops Big Hoops</li> </ul> You can see the full list (which is huge!) at their website: www.alittlebitbazar.net They're already �read�more��
Risk Management Courses In Lanzarote9 Oct 2015 | 1:00 amOur friends at SoftQualM have announced a new series of courses in risk management, which will take place on the island in November and March. As a result of changes to the explicit requirements for risk management, organisations have �read�more��
Feria De La Tapa, Puerto del Carmen8 Oct 2015 | 1:33 pmThis is a guest article from Gerry Haughian, who runs the website Gerry's Kitchen and is a regular visitor to Lanzarote, with his wife Nicola. In the lead up to World Tapa Day, Saborea Lanzarote organised Feria De La Tapa, an fantastic food and drink festival that took place over two days in the old harbour square in Puerto Del Carmen's old town at the end of September. �read�more��
Carrie Williams
The Diagnosis is in…2 Oct 2015 | 9:43 amIt all started in January 2012, and since then I have documented a laundry list of symptoms, doctor visits, lab tests and many other parts of my journey toward a diagnosis. I finally have one. However, a lot has happened since I last wrote, so please bear with me as I take you through another leg of my journey… Starting at my ophthalmologist in the southwest suburbs and ending up at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, I had quite a few lab tests: many MRIs, a PET scan, two spinal taps, a lung biopsy and countless blood draws. My scans, according to my neurologist at Northwestern, looked similar to scans of patients who had neurosarcoidosis, multiple sclerosis (MS) and even lymphoma. With every new MRI, new...
Miles for Melanoma 201513 Jul 2015 | 1:02 pmIt was Thursday, July 9, and another year had passed as Team Z continued "living for a good time" … just as our dear friend, Tom Ziarko, always did. It was two years ago that we lost the light in our life who passed away after bravely battling Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma. Several of us gathered at St. Mary's in Chicago for a memorial mass, and we then spent the day with Tom's family. Days later, we were scheduled to participate in our third Miles for Melanoma 5K and the whole group rallied to support the cause. As if there were any doubts about that. After my effort last year made me the No. 1 fundraiser, having raised $3,190, I had a goal in mind for 2015. I wanted to raise $5,000. I wanted reach even...
Overcoming Shyness5 Apr 2015 | 6:09 pmReading yesterday's paper, I came across a story that seemed eerily familiar. In the Daily Southtown, freelance reporter Cheryl Dangel Bartolini wrote a lovely piece about a senior student at Andrew High School in Tinley Park. "Grace Mooney said she's always considered herself a shy person." she wrote. "So when she was invited to attend the National Student Leadership Conference for Business and Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University last summer, she was hesitant." The rest of the article documented the young lady's 10-day stay at Northwestern University, where she made friends with people from all over the U.S. and discovered how to be more assertive. Reading the article took me back to my own...
Ethan Gray: One Tough Cookie26 Mar 2015 | 4:52 pmOn the surface, Ethan Gray looks like a typical high school student. A senior at St. Rita of Cascia High School, the 18-year-old jokes with his friends, plays in the school band and volunteers at local churches. But when you get to know him, you can see that Gray, who was selected by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) as this year's national recipient of the National High School Heart of the Arts Award, is much more. "He's inspiring," said St. Rita music faculty member Cindy Gradek. "He's a quiet kid, but he's very talented and his classmates love him. Most people are unaware of what he goes through, and they're blown away when they hear his story." Born about two months...
Whitney Reynolds' Health Scare16 Jan 2015 | 5:57 amI met Whitney Reynolds over a year ago when TCW was featured on a special episode of her talk show, The Whitney Reynolds Show, on WYCC. She's one of the hardest working women I know…bright, bubbly and a good friend. So when I saw some alarming news on Facebook one day, I was worried about her. Whitney first noticed the lump in her armpit one night before bed in December: "I was in my pajamas and happened to look in the mirror while stretching my arms up. It immediately caught my eye because it was like a small golf ball poking out of my right armpit." She then Googled what she saw. "Don't do this," urges Whitney. "After seeing the article that popped up, I panicked. I sent a picture of the lump to my best...
Homewood Suites Lake Buena Vista30 Sep 2015 | 2:00 amWhat's better than staying at a Lake Buena Vista hotel near Walt Disney World? Staying at an all-suites Lake Buena Vista hotel near Walt Disney World, with plenty of room to… The post Homewood Suites Lake Buena Vista appeared first on Orlandoescape.
Hilton Garden Inn Lake Buena Vista30 Sep 2015 | 2:00 amFor your next Disney vacation, the Hilton Garden Inn Lake Buena Vista combines an ideal location just one mile away from Walt Disney World, with the Hilton name that travelers… The post Hilton Garden Inn Lake Buena Vista appeared first on Orlandoescape.
Runaway Beach Club Resort15 Aug 2015 | 2:00 amTravelers looking for vacation rentals near Orlando can look no further than the Runaway Beach Club Resort in Kissimmee-Orlando. In true Florida style, Runaway Beach Resort offers a lush tropical… The post Runaway Beach Club Resort appeared first on Orlandoescape.
Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista Reviews Video7 May 2015 | 10:05 am� Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista Reviews #ClarionInnLBV Posted by Floridaescape on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 � Reviews via Trip Advisor For Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista Checked into the… The post Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista Reviews Video appeared first on Orlandoescape.
Height Requirements for Disney World Magic Kingdom Park Attractions15 Apr 2015 | 2:00 amOnce your children are old enough to appreciate a trip to Disney World (and for most kids, that happens once they start to eat solid foods and sleep through the… The post Height Requirements for Disney World Magic Kingdom Park Attractions appeared first on Orlandoescape.
News and Views from Cheapflights.com
Lazy man's guide to staying in a hotel: 20 things you can definitely have delivered to your room6 Oct 2015 | 1:21 pmIt's now easier than ever to order little luxuries with a few taps of your smartphone or a quick phone call. From meals prepared by a celeb chef to deejay equipment or an opera serenade, the options for what can be delivered to your hotel room are seemingly endless. For decades, hotels have been delivering food, toiletries, towels and drinks to guests in the comfort of their rooms, but an increasing number of hotels are offering more creative deliveries, from whimsical items like warm milk and cookies at bedtime to seemingly vital amenities like oxygen. Many of these items are free. Can't find what you want within the confines of your hotel or are too lazy to leave the property? No problem. A number...
8 ways fees can bust your travel budget6 Oct 2015 | 9:14 amThink you've just planned the perfect budget vacation? Make sure you've calculated all the costs before you hit book. Whether it's for amenities that were once free or for little luxuries, travel fees can add up. From planes, trains and automobiles to hotels, there are dozens of hidden, not-so-hidden and unexpected fees being charged to travelers that can really put a dent in your travel budget. U.S. hotels charged an estimated $2.25 billion in total fees and surcharges in 2014, according to New York University's Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. Don't get caught off guard. Research possible fees before your trip, ask questions and carefully review your bills at the hotel...
Veggie travel: Tips for vegetarians and vegans on vacay1 Oct 2015 | 11:47 amA highlight for most travelers is eating out, trying local cuisine and indulging in new and exciting meals. For those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, this can be a challenge depending on the destination. While there are places with tons of gastronomical choices for vegetarians and vegans on vacay in the city, going off the beaten path may make finding gourmet grub a bit harder. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to have a fantastic foodie experience regardless of your dietary preference. And there are multiple ways you can be prepared when finding yourself with few options in the sky or in a new city. Cheapflights got the inside scoop from dietitians and nutritionists in the know, who were happy to...
Extreme makeover: 13 airport facelifts around the world28 Sep 2015 | 9:46 amAirports are constantly changing and evolving to accommodate growing numbers of passengers, improve passenger flow and offer better amenities for travelers. Some upgrades and expansions are more utilitarian like, say, building more runways or adding parking spaces. But other upgrades are decidedly more exciting. If you're wondering what's been going on in the world of airports, we have the scoop on some recent and upcoming renovations that will make air travel easier and time spent in the airport something to look forward to. Singapore Changi Airport Jewel Changi Airport (Image: Singapore Changi Airport) Jewel Changi Airport Rain Vortex (Image: Singapore Changi Airport) Singapore Changi Airport is...
Bleisure is the new black: How to plan the ultimate business trip28 Sep 2015 | 8:44 amYou check your work email at the beach and take business calls at home, so why not add some leisure time to your next business trip? Bleisure, the practice of mixing business and leisure travel, is growing in popularity as business travelers are extending business trips to take advantage of a paid round-trip airline or train ticket to spend a weekend or more exploring cities like New York and Los Angeles or international destinations like London and Hong Kong. There are many benefits to a bleisure trip: the prospects of a vacation just after you've attended a grueling series of stressful meetings or closed a crucial business deal adds value to work assignments; you get to see a place you might not have...
Geotraveler's Niche
Photo Tip: Take more environmental food portraits6 Oct 2015 | 8:45 amWe definitely need more environmental portraits of food to tell us the more complete story - more truth - behind our food photos...
Are you a travel snob? Digging up the past2 Oct 2015 | 6:46 amI recently stumbled across a piece I contributed to back in 2010 in response to the question: Travel snobbery. Does it exist? If so, how would you define it?...
20 interior landscape photos of Mauritius29 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amI wanted to share about 20 landscape photos of Mauritius, especially its interior rolling hills and lush greenery. The cloudy day added a lot of drama to each landscape shot and the fields of sugarcane and pineapple...
BootsnAll Travel Articles
The Former Yugoslavia: Go Now!8 Oct 2015 | 1:03 am[section]The state of Yugoslavia was once the lower Balkan region formed by the present countries of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo. From as far back as the ancient Greek and Roman times, these rich cultured regions have been disputed, occupied and ruled by the Byzantines, Ottomans, Venetians, Germans, Austrian Habsburg and more throughout history. After World War II the multi-ethnic state of Yugoslavia was formed and headed by Marshall Tito. Upon his death, Yugoslavia slowly collapsed and descended into a bloody, territorial and ethnic war. Today, 20 odd years, after all the bloodshed and destruction, these countries have patched themselves up and are...
What to Pack for Southeast Asia7 Oct 2015 | 1:03 am[section]It's the night before your flight to Southeast Asia and it looks as though your backpack has thrown up it's lunch, clothing strewn all over the bed and floor; jeans, capri pants, t-shirts, flip flops, underwear, and way too many pairs of shoes. Packing for a six-month trip to Southeast Asia should not be this difficult. Right? Southeast Asia is a tricky region in terms of packing. The weather is generally hot, and your first instinct may be to pack a bunch of cargo shorts, short shorts, tanks, and bikinis, but before you do that, there are other factors to consider. The majority of Southeast Asian countries are conservative, and dressing like you would for the beach in California is not...
Ultralight Weight Travel and No Baggage Fees6 Oct 2015 | 1:03 am[section]To our friends and family, my husband and I are freaks of nature. We can travel for three months at a time sharing one medium sized backpack and two small daypacks between us. This is unfathomable to most people, who cannot conceive of leaving their house without half their closet, the entire contents of their bathroom cabinets, and their complete collections of gadgets.[/section] [banner type="gray" subscribe="hide" description="hide" title="Ready to plan your RTW trip?" button="Sign up for the free 30 day e-course" button_link="http://www.bootsnall.com/rtw/30days"] [section]I have had my own luggage dilemmas. While traveling alone for four months through Southeast Asia, I decided to err on the...
The Ultimate Guide to Packing for a Long-Term Trip5 Oct 2015 | 1:03 am[section] So many different things go into planning a long-term, RTW trip. You have to worry about things like travel insurance, immunizations, and whether or not to purchase a multi-stop plane ticket. But one of the biggest questions I hear revolves around packing. For those who have never taken more than a week or two trip before, it can be overwhelming thinking about what to bring on a trip around the world. Panic quickly sets in as travelers ponder the ins and outs of packing for a trip like this.[/section] [title2]A few things to consider[/title2] [section]Before we get into the details of what to pack for your trip, let's get a few basics out of the way. Packing for a big trip like this doesn't...
Cheap Travel vs. Budget Travel: There's a Difference1 Oct 2015 | 1:03 am[section]"Pssht, I only spent $8 a day when I was in India." "I traveled the world for a year, and I only spent $6000." "Dude, you spent waaaay too much on that." "Brah, I spent half that during my time in Thailand." "How did you spend that much in Southeast Asia?" We've all heard the comments. We've all had these conversations with the holier than thou backpackers who wax poetic about how little money they have spent on their trips. We see them comment on Facebook or Twitter or in the comment sections of articles. You know the ones. Those travelers who clearly think they're better than you because they spent less money on their travel than anyone else in the room.[/section] [banner type="red"...
Travel Blissful
Tips and Techniques: A Beginner's Mini-Guide to Off-Road Driving9 Oct 2015 | 3:56 amOff-road driving is a lot of fun, but you need to master a few basic techniques in order to navigate the trails safely. Follow these tips to stay safe while driving off-road. Get to Know the Trail Plan your route in advance. Use Google Earth to get a preview of the kind of terrain you'll be diving over. While driving, go slowly and keep an eye on the road ahead so you're not surprised by sudden corners or bumps. If the trail starts to get rough and you're not sure whether you'll be able to pass, get out of the car and scout ahead on foot to find out what you'll be facing if you carry on. Lower Your Tire Pressure The ideal tire pressure for off-road driving is lower than for driving on the road. Dropping the...
Make Your Travelling Experience More Delightful By Adding Games on to Your Traveler's List of Necessary Things8 Oct 2015 | 1:08 amTraveling has always been fun and adventurous for all those globetrotters who wish to travel across the world. There are many destinations which attracts people from across the globe. To mention one, very thought about travel destination is London. Most of the people live up with a dream to visit this place once in their life time. No doubt London is hot destination with Hyde Park, London bridge, Big Ben are just to name few tourists places which you can enjoy by visiting the place. There are times when you travel to out stations and you make all necessary arrangements which will help you while travelling. Have you ever thought what you will do in case you face bad weather during your visit to England or...
A brief travel guide to Northwest France5 Oct 2015 | 10:11 pmWhen we think of weekend getaways to the continent, we think of Paris, Brussels, maybe even Berlin. But how about a few days lolling around on the beach, strolling down lazy rivers and sipping wine whilst the sun goes down in the Northwestern corner of France. You don't even need to go through the hassle of airports and security and hand-luggage restrictions to get there. Simply hop on a ferry to France (Brittany Ferries run the widest choice of routes) and you'll soon be in the land of cheap wine and more cheese than you know what to do with, no problem! Of course, if R&R is what you're after, you're not going to want to do much but eat the wonderful fresh seafood served up by the platter, window...
Vibrant Villas – 3 Perfect Villa Locations4 Oct 2015 | 1:59 amWhen a child, you imagine picturesque landscapes in exotic locations, casting your eye over them from your own glamorous abode, living amidst a dazzling orchard or the slopes of an awe inspiring snowy mountain. As great as your imagination can be, the reality is so much better. These luxurious villas are a reality and enable you to witness some of the earths most authentic, breathtaking majesty in comfort. These can be fantastic holiday destinations; here are three of the best villa locations in the world: Crete, Greece Crete the largest island in Greece and is filled with diversified landscapes capable of impressing anyone from anywhere. You can rest your eyes upon some magnificent white mountains and...
Escape the Winter Blues with these Family Breaks3 Oct 2015 | 12:41 amIf you are thinking of how to have a winter escape, you will surely be confronted with an abundance of possibilities. To make things easier, we have created a list of three of the destinations that you should visit and what you can do in these places. For sure, the whole family will have a trip they will remember forever. The Algarve in Portugal When the winter season hits, for most people, all that they would want to do is escape the chilling temperature and get some sun. This is exactly what you can do in Algarve, one of Portugal's better known destinations because of its sunny beaches. Sandy beaches, golden cliffs, blue waters – these are some of the things that make the Algarve a popular family...
Stuck in Customs
The Final Photo From the Dubai Photo Walk8 Oct 2015 | 10:01 pmEve Online I started playing Eve Online with my son recently… he had never played before and the game is so monstrously complex that he's finally old enough to do it! Daily Photo – The Final Photo From the Dubai Photo Walk It was another extremely long photo walk! Often times these things go way longer than I expect. Thank goodness it was not the hot season… this is where the group said their goodbyes and everyone went their separate ways. I got one final shot before heading out myself… The Final Photo From the Dubai Photo Walk <ul> <li> </li> <li>Tweet</li> <li> </li> <li></li> <li>m</li> </ul> Photo Information <ul> <li>Date Taken</li> <li>CameraILCE-7R</li> <li>Camera MakeSony</li> <li>Exposure Time1.6</li> <li>Aperture4</li> <li>ISO200</li> <li>Focal Length18.0 mm</li> <li>FlashOff, Did not...</li></ul>
Digging up Dinosaurs with Jack Horner7 Oct 2015 | 10:01 pmNew Photo Organization I have a slightly different workflow I've been toying with lately. It's particular to me, so it may not apply to you, but here it is. I have my desktop iMac here where I do most everything when I am home. It also is where my main library is hooked into. But I also have my Macbook, and I've been taking a ton of photos lately with my little RX100. Check the "Camera Recommendations" up there soon, as I may make it my entry-level pick! Anyway, I've made a special Library on my Macbook JUST for photos from that little device. They tend to be quicker shots, street shots, family shots, and the like. It seems better than commingling them with all the other huge photos that...
Awesome Buildings in Tokyo6 Oct 2015 | 10:01 pmLightroom Presets I thought about re-packaging some of my presets for different kind of categories. Maybe a black & white package… a sandstorm package… I can't actually decide because I don't want to make it too confusing. Okay, I just talked myself out of it. Daily Photo – Awesome Buildings in Tokyo I don't do a lot of single-shots of buildings, but when I'm in Tokyo I make an exception. I know nothing about architecture or how to make a cool building, but I'd like to think that if I was an architect that I could make something like this. I don't know how these guys come up with ideas like this! Awesome Buildings in Tokyo <ul> <li> </li> <li>Tweet</li> <li> </li> <li></li> <li>m</li> </ul> Photo Information <ul> <li>Date...</li></ul>
Getting Stuck in Communist Rally5 Oct 2015 | 10:01 pmAnother Bus Trip? I'll be talking to the team soon about whether or not we'll do another bus trip! Let me know if you'd be interested in that! Daily Photo – Getting Stuck in Communist Rally I came out of my hotel in Ho Chih Minh and was in a sea of some kind of rally. I really have no idea what was going on, but it seemed to be all 40+ women, and, well, that one dude you can see looking at me… possibly as confused as I was! Getting Stuck in Communist Rally <ul> <li> </li> <li>Tweet</li> <li> </li> <li></li> <li>m</li> </ul> Photo Information <ul> <li>Date Taken</li> <li>CameraILCE-7R</li> <li>Camera MakeSony</li> <li>Exposure Time1/1000</li> <li>Aperture3.5</li> <li>ISO125</li> <li>Focal Length24.0 mm</li> <li>FlashOff, Did not fire</li> <li>Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE</li> <li>Exposure Bias-0.3</li> </ul> ...
Amazing Indoor Waterfalls4 Oct 2015 | 10:01 pmBest DJs on Soundcloud? If you have any favorites, let me know… always looking for new music! You can see who I follow here on my Soundcloud page. Daily Photo – Amazing Indoor Waterfalls Here's another crazy place in Singapore that I totally didn't expect. The outside was amazing enough, but then I decided to go inside. Amazing! And you can probably see all those little paths up there… you can just wander around and see this incredible indoor rainforest. Amazing Indoor Waterfalls <ul> <li> </li> <li>Tweet</li> <li> </li> <li></li> <li>m</li> </ul> Photo Information <ul> <li>Date Taken</li> <li>CameraILCE-7R</li> <li>Camera MakeSony</li> <li>Exposure Time1/250</li> <li>Aperture4</li> <li>ISO160</li> <li>Focal Length13.0 mm</li> <li>FlashOff, Did not fire</li> <li>Exposure ProgramAperture-priority...</li></ul>
We Blog The World
The Adirondack's Mirror Lake, From Breathtaking Dawn to Sun Break9 Oct 2015 | 9:03 amThe loons are echoing in the background and I can hear their call much louder than I can on Caroga Lake's waters for some reason, my old stomping ground. I'm not sure if part of it is the fact that I'm a hundred feet higher than I normally am when the loons call to me or the fact that we're further north in the Adirondacks – either way, as I sit here reflecting on Mirror Lake's serenity and magic, the loons are part of it all and it's a beautiful thing. Small as it is, Mirror Lake is large enough to tire your arms as you paddle from one end to the other. The loons… Read more...
How to See & Eat in Ottawa Like a Local!9 Oct 2015 | 7:36 amHow many people know where to go and eat like a local in Ottawa? When most people think of Ottawa, thoughts of beautiful parks, incredible museums, amazing restaurants and of course the historic Parliament buildings come to mind. Here, we highlight some different places that only locals know about and often go to. Places that I personally love to visit when I am back home. Places that you won't find in most travel guides. Fritomania Let's start with food. I think Ottawa has some of the best poutine restaurants in the country. And that's thanks to its close proximity to St. Albert and their amazing cheese curds. Honestly, if you've never had poutine made with fresh cheese curds from St....
4 Great Beaches Close to Rome8 Oct 2015 | 4:03 pmWhen you think of Rome, Italy, you think of thousands of years of history, delicious food and drink and a chaotic road system that makes you risk your life every time you cross the street. One thing you probably don't imagine, particularly if you visit Rome during the summer, when the surrounding countryside is parched and yellow, is the beach. Surprisingly, several excellent beaches exist within day-trip distance of Rome—here are a few of the best. Sabaudia Saubadia's crystalline waters and clean sand are about the farthest thing from the hustle-bustle of the Spanish Steps or Collosseum: You aren't going to see many tourists here—certainly not foreign ones. After taking the one-hour train… Read...
The 2016 Buick Enclave, Ideal Family Travel Choice Also Exudes Luxury8 Oct 2015 | 10:12 amThe more time I spend in a Buick, the more I want to own one. We had an opportunity to test out the brand new 2016 Buick Enclave this past August during a family travel adventure to the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. If we didn't have two kids in tow, I would have loved to be buzzing around in a blue Cascada Convertible, which is so far, my favorite line. That said, when there's four of you and two of them are children, the Enclave couldn't be a more perfect choice. It certainly was for us! She was a 2016 model and so her gleam shone wherever we went, whether it was in a… Read more...
Nature & Serenity at its Best on an Assam Bengal Cruise8 Oct 2015 | 10:04 amWhen the aircraft arrived over Guwahati and was circling prior to touch down I could see in that silvery light of the early morning a huge river – indeed, the mighty Brahmaputra. This sacred river which is the only male sacred river in Hindu mythology is considered the 'son of Brahma' and I was excited. In all my life and travels inIndiaI had never yet been close to or on theBrahmaputra. In my childhood one did not travel except for family transfers and when I was a teenager after the Chinese Army invaded Assam it became a prohibited place; now however the whole North East of India is really trying to place itself as a good and different tourist destination… Read more...
Business Travel Destinations
Meeting & Incentive Forum Europe Autumn 2016 Forum7 Oct 2015 | 12:21 pmMore than 350 top international meeting and incentive professionals will gather in Prague, September, 26-30, 2016, for M&I Forum Europe Autumn 2016. In partnership with the Prague Convention Bureau and a number of local DMCs, the four-day event will see fully hosted buyers hold over 4,000 meetings with event suppliers from across Europe and beyond. Great Palffy Garden in Prague, Czech Republic (courtesy of Prague City Tourism) Great Palffy Garden in Prague, Czech Republic (courtesy of Prague City Tourism) The Forum will introduce some of Europe's leading meeting and incentive professionals to new and undiscovered features of the Czech capital. While it retains a rich culture and history, Prague is also a...
CCMIT & CCTM20 Aug 2015 | 7:05 amWhile in the first half 2015 the MICE industry was still in the making, it elevated the industry to not only link with the giant service providers but also connect with urban development and investment opportunities, as thousands of incentive travels abroad from Chinese direct sales enterprises and numerous top level international summits held in China. Thus the buyers have raised the bars for the services and content. The market players that are capable of utilizing technology and platform to meet the demands and generate the new demands will be more competitive in the near future. When Internet and mobile internet have penetrated many major industries, internet and mobile internet companies high profile...
IMEX America 2015 – Preview14 Aug 2015 | 12:53 pmThis year's IMEX America program will be larger than ever: 50 of the trade show exhibitors will increase the size of their booths; 60 new booths have been confirmed so far, and new meeting and event planners from around the U.S. and the world will show up in Las Vegas from October 13-15, 2015, to network and learn new ways that people will meet in 2016 and beyond. "It is always our goal to deliver increasing value to our exhibitors, hosted buyers and attendees," said Carina Bauer, CEO of The IMEX Group. "Adding more new exhibitors, new buyer groups and providing new education ideas each year is our way of achieving this objective. New Destinations and Hotels at IMEX America For meeting planners, the...
AirGrub Airport Dining App Review6 Aug 2015 | 7:05 amTechnology certainly helps make business travel easier, but if an app can help us save time when we're on the road, that's even better. And when I'm running late for the airport, I feel rushed when I have to search out a find a 'grab and go' restaurant, selecting an item from the menu and then waiting anxiously for the food before running to the gate. The AirGrub airport mobile dining app let's you order your meal in advance and it's ready when you schedule it. Courtesy image. A few weeks ago I discovered AirGrub, a new mobile app that helps us place an order for food at the airport — anytime before arriving — and then just picking up the order before arriving at the gate. And that helps solve the...
Tourist Office of Spain for Business Travel, Meetings and Events3 Aug 2015 | 4:00 pmAbout the Tourist Office of Spain in Chicago The Tourist Office of Spain in Chicago is one of 32 worldwide offices of TURESPAÑA, Spain´s government tourism promotion authority based in Madrid, and is responsible for promoting Spain as a tourism destination to travel trade, press and consumers in the Midwest USA market. Additionally, it is the branch office in the USA responsible for marketing the business, incentive and meeting tourism product. To that end, the TOS Chicago acts as a liaison between suppliers and DMCs in Spain and the buyer/planner in the USA. A full array of marketing activities are carried out throughout the year, including workshops, familiarization trips, participation in trade shows...
A Postcard a Day
Paddington Bear18 Sep 2015 | 11:05 amPaddington Bear is second only to Winnie the Pooh when it comes to famous British bears, with Rupert Bear coming third. Let the arguments commence!I'm sure there are plenty of other Paddington Bear postcards but this is one issued as a PHQ stamp card by the Royal Mail in 2014, part of a classic Children's TV series.This is a post for Postcard Friendship Friday, hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy. You can visit her by clicking on the button below.
Bridges, old and new13 Sep 2015 | 2:00 pmThese first two bridges, the Pontcysyllte aqueduct (opened 1805) in north Wales and the iron bridge (opened 1781) at Ironbridge, were part of an industrial archaeology series of stamps published in 1989. �At the time, the bridge was already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then, in 2009, the aqueduct was added to the list.I don't know if this third bridge, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge will ever join them on the list. �Only time will tell. The stamp was part of the huge series issued to mark the Millennium, this one in June 2000.This is a post for Sunday Stamps, hosted by Violet Sky at "See it on a Postcard!" �As usual, click on the button to see some bridges on stamps.
Train spotters11 Sep 2015 | 4:30 amChildren seem to do the same things the world over. �This could be a scene from "The Railway Children " (by Edith Nesbit) but in fact it's an oil painting by�Pavel Gavrilenko, a Belarussian artist. It was painted in 1957, just four years before he died.This is a post for Postcard Friendship Friday, hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy. You can visit her by clicking on the button below.
Ballet4 Sep 2015 | 2:31 pmI never did want to be a ballerina when I grew up. �Even as a child I knew I would never manage to look like this, though if I'd seen this card, maybe I might have tried a little harder.It is a card of a very beautiful stamp issued by the United States Postal Service in 1998 to honour classical ballet.This is a post for Postcard Friendship Friday, hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy. You can visit her by clicking on the button below.
Lazy days of summer4 Sep 2015 | 1:56 pmI was being lazy in Ireland last week, which would cover�August 10th, National Lazy Day in the USA. �However, even though I say it myself, I was being quite active climbing the Hill of Howth, just north of Dublin.The card is one I bought while there but I sent it to myself in the end. Céad Míle Fáilte means "welcome", or literally "a hundred thousand welcomes". �It's a good many years since I was there, not since I left school in Dublin, but I must say I found everyone very welcoming.This is a post for Postcard Friendship Friday, hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy. You can visit her by clicking on the button below to see if she was lazy or not.
5 Travel Tips you need to Know for your Next Adventure25 Sep 2015 | 12:36 pmAre you jetting off on an adventure soon or seriously considering it? Then you've come to the right place because we're obsessed with all thing travel related, and are always finding ways to improve our travelling experiences. Here's 5 of our latest top travel tips that you need to know about before the off. <ol> <li> Keep all your documents safe and at hand</li> </ol> A bit of a boring one to start with, but it is important and it's something we all tend to forget. Get a folder to keep all of your documentation and identification in, including your passports, visa requirements, health insurance docs etc. Some countries even require things like itineraries of what you're doing in the country, so it's an idea to...
Packing for Your Trip: 5 Common Mistakes23 Sep 2015 | 7:27 pmTaking a trip should be an exciting, stress free time when you can leave behind day-to-day concerns. Getting your packing right, at home and away, makes sure you have everything you need while you're away, and keeps valuables secure for your return. Mistake #1 – Not Making a List A packing list is the Holy Grail, at the beginning of the trip and at the end. Start your list with everything you'd like to take, then whittle it down as you find ways to combine items or realise items won't be used. One way of making sure you're covered for every eventuality is to run over your itinerary. If you're going somewhere with a dress code, pack accordingly. If every day is filled with sightseeing and...
7 Best Cars to Take on Your Next Adventure18 Sep 2015 | 5:35 pmWith adventure around every corner, don't be stuck driving a car that limits your ability to reach it. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or you love to spend time in the great outdoors with your family, it's important to drive a car that lets you make the most of your time. From carrying kayaks and canoes to packing all the supplies for a week of camping, choose a car, truck, or SUV with enough room for it all. Instead of just going off-roading in your adventure vehicle, turn it into the perfect way to keep your supplies safe and secure. Take a look at the seven best cars and SUVs for your next outdoor adventure. Jeep Renegade � The Jeep Renegade is perfect for those who are looking for adventure....
Must try foods in Rio24 Aug 2015 | 5:05 pmAfter trying to find the time in your schedule for some time, you have finally made travel plans to visit Brazil. With your first destination being Rio, you are excited to see all the usual sights, but being an avid foodie, you are even more enthused to sample the food that fuels this nation as well. The following must try foods in Rio will give you the best possible impression of the meals that the common Brazilian consumes on a daily basis. 1) Feijoada Of all the Brazilian dishes that one can sample in Rio, Feijoada is the most popular meal by far. A stew consisting of black beans, beef and pork, this hearty bowl of goodness is so ubiquitous that is considered by many to be this country's national...
How to Spend 72 Hours in Copenhagen17 Aug 2015 | 9:10 pmIf you have 72 hours to spend in Copenhagen, you'll easily fill your time in the coolest capital in Scandinavia. The city's known for its style and design but also offers the visitor history amidst prettily-coloured houses set in cobbled streets. Most sights are within walking – or cycling – distance and you can save money by buying a 72-hour Copenhagen card for free admission to many attractions. Tivoli Gardens Start your 72 hours in Copenhagen by making a trip to the world famous Tivoli Gardens, where there's something to please everyone. At night the whole park takes on a magical feel with the help of thousands of tiny lights. Rides vary between modern for the thrill seekers and traditional – the...
Myths About Adventure Travel9 Oct 2015 | 7:28 amYou've probably heard the words adventure travel. So what does it mean? Do you have to be a fitness guru to participate? Will you have to be constantly on the go in order for it to be an adventure? Do you have to leave your kids at home because they can't handle it? Just as there are a lot of questions about adventure travel, there are a lot of myths as well. Here are some of the top myths, busted… <ul><li>Myth: It's All Go Go Go</li> </ul>Reality: Part of adventure travel means that you will be doing some type of adventure activity. However, this doesn't mean that you will be on the go 24/7. There will probably be plenty of time for you to check out some of the cool things at your particular destination or enjoy your hotel...
Top 5 Things You Should Do Before International Travel8 Oct 2015 | 6:02 amIn general, a lot more goes into international travel versus domestic travel. In order to be ready to go out of the country, you need to prepare ahead of time. You should do the following things before traveling internationally. Get Your Documentation Ready Before traveling overseas you need to make sure that all of your paperwork is in order. Check to make sure your passport isn't about to expire and renew it if it's going to expire within 6 months of travel. Photocopy important documents like your driver's license, the front page of your passport, airline tickets and your health insurance card. Store these items in a separate place than your originals just in case any of your documents get lost or...
Best Places To Take A Dip in Nature7 Oct 2015 | 6:27 amYou don't always have to go to the pool or the beach to take a swim. Nature offers many crannies and crevices that contain clean and clear water. The best part about taking advantage of one of nature's pools? The views! Here are some of the best places to take a dip throughout the world. Fairy Pools- Scotland In Glen Brittle there are quite a few pools that contain aquamarine water. The water that makes up the Fairy Pools comes from the waterfalls of the Cullin Mountains. They can be accessed by hiking trails, although the terrain can be tricky. The water itself is quite cold so you may want to save that swim until the summer months. Sliding Rock, North Carolina Sliding Rock not only has a natural wading...
$10,000 A Night Cruise on Regent Seven Seas' Explorer6 Oct 2015 | 6:42 amHow much would you be willing to pay for a cabin on a luxury cruise ship? $500, $1000 or even $1,500 a night? One cruise ship is offering cabins that are $10,000 a night. Surprisingly, these cabins are pretty much sold out even though the ship has yet to make its maiden voyage. We are talking about the Regent Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship coming out in the summer of 2016. What You Get For The Money The most expensive & luxurious cabins at sea can be found on the Regent Seven Seas' Explorer. The cabins are 3,875 square feet and have two bedrooms. Each suite can accommodate up to six guests. There's also a large living room and a private spa. The spa features a steam room, treatment area and sauna. There...
5 Of The Happiest Cities in Europe You Should Visit5 Oct 2015 | 6:30 amWhen you visit a country where the residents are happy and pleasant, it's hard not to be happy yourself. Happy locals are generally very welcoming to visitors and more than willing to lend a hand to a stranger. The following 5 cities are definitely some of the happiest places in the world that travelers should visit if they get a chance. Lucerne, Switzerland For the most part Switzerland is a happy country. The city of Lucerne is extremely pleasant, especially during their Carnival of Basel called Fasnacht. It's a lively event with parades and lanterns. The city of Lucerne is rather compact with snow covered mountains nearby. One of the most famous sights is the Chapel Bridge which was the first wooden...
What's New at Women on the Road?
How to Visit Any City in One Day8 Oct 2015 | 2:23 amEven if you only have 24 hours, you can see a lot of a city in one day: here are tools and resources for a perfect stopover.
Brazil Tourism: A Woman's Guide11 Jul 2015 | 7:16 amIf you're a woman considering Brazil tourism, you've probably heard it's unsafe and not a great destination. That's not exactly true.
Graffiti Street Art - Love It or Hate It?20 May 2015 | 9:16 amGraffiti street art is graffiti for some, street art for others, and often more complex than a few bits of spray on a wall. Find out what it's all about.
Natural Disaster Survival When You Travel14 May 2015 | 8:22 amTsunamis and earthquakes aren't the first thing you think about when you travel but if you're headed to a danger zone, think of preparing for natural disaster survival.
How to Travel When Broke14 May 2015 | 8:17 amJust because you have less money doesn't mean you can't travel when broke. Find out how to keep spending down and get around the high cost of travel.
DEATH ROAD BOLIVIA6 Oct 2015 | 11:00 pmKnown as Death Road, North Yungas road it's been dubbed the world's most dangerous road, but it continues to draw thousands of cyclists willing to try their luck.
CARRETERA DE LA MUERTE3 Oct 2015 | 11:29 pmConocido como la Carretera de la Muerte, el camino de Yungas fue calificado como el mas peligroso del mundo, sin embargo, continua atrayendo a miles de ciclistas.
FESTIVAL DE MASHRAMANI26 Sep 2015 | 11:42 pmEl festival de Mashramani, o simplemente Mash, es el evento por excelencia de Guayana, dado que celebra el dia de su independencia. Sus origenes se remontan a 1970.
MASHRAMANI25 Sep 2015 | 12:47 amMashramani or Mash is the independence-day celebration in Guyana that culminates on February 23rd. It goes back to 1970, when the newly Republic was formed.
PELOURINHO SALVADOR23 Sep 2015 | 12:00 amLa historia de Pelourinho, Salvador, Brasil, se remonta a los tempranos dias de dominacion colonial por parte de Portugal, con un legado arquitectonico formidable.
Wild Junket
Scuba Diving in the Maldives8 Oct 2015 | 10:03 amAs we descend into the depths of the Indian Ocean, the strong waves and whipping winds are replaced by clear-as-glass water and a kaleidoscope of colors. Marine life of all sizes and characteristics surround us. My dive instructor and I slowly make our way through the sprawling coral gardens, amidst hundreds of different fishes and corals. Through my mask, it's hard to see the excitement on my face underwater, but I'm shrieking like a child in a candy store. Swimming close to the corals, we see the cute orange-and-white anemone fish slithering amongst bubble-like corals, the rainbow-colored parrotfish nibbling on plants and the rather amusing-looking masked pufferfish seemingly half awake. Diving in...
Video: Dolphin Watching in Maldives6 Oct 2015 | 4:30 amFrom somewhere in the depths of the indigo water comes a splash and a squeal. A small fin pokes above the surface followed by the whip of a tail. It's a dolphin. Just meters away from our traditional dhoni boat. Seconds later, it resurfaces. But this time it's joined by another dolphin.. and another…and another… By now, there are a dozen or so dolphins surrounding us. I watch in awe as the dolphins dive in and out of the water in sync, swimming gracefully right alongside the bow of our boat where I'm sitting. They seem to be having so much fun chasing after us, riding in the waves and just soaking up all the attention. Soon enough, one of them leaps high above the surface to do a spectacular 360-degree...
Capella Singapore: A Retreat Away from the Urban Jungle2 Oct 2015 | 4:36 amSingapore is a special place for me. It's where I was born and raised, and where I spent almost 20 years of my life. Regardless of how much time I've been away, Singapore is and always will be my home. Every time I go back, there's always something new to explore — be it a new museum, park or hip district. On my recent trip back home, I discovered a beautiful corner that is close to the city, yet feels like a world away. An Oasis in an Urban Jungle Capella Singapore is a secret corner of Singapore that we didn't know existed until now. The heritage hotel is located on Sentosa, a small islet off the southern tip of Singapore. The name Sentosa actually means "peace and tranquility" in Malay and indeed...
Maldives From Above — Stunning Aerial Photos that Will Make You Want to Fly there Now25 Sep 2015 | 4:05 amLittle atolls rise from the dark blue water like droplets of turquoise pearls, in different shapes and sizes. There are hundreds, if not thousands of them, scattered randomly all over the Indian Ocean. It's as if Mother Earth had sprinkled a handful of sapphire gems into the sea and created this nation of atolls. In actual fact, Maldives is made up of approximately 1,200 coral islands — only about 200 inhabited — grouped into a double chain that resemble a necklace draped along an undersea plateau. The islands are small, and none rise more than 1.8 meters (6 feet) above sea level. They are spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers, making this one of the most disparate countries in the...
Traveling with Baby — What We Learned from Our Baby's First Flight23 Sep 2015 | 9:28 amThis is a part of my "traveling with baby" series to share our experience with you. We hope to encourage you to show your baby the world too. We've just returned from Baby Kaleya's first first international trip, and I'm proud to report that Kaleya was a great flyer. Save for one scream fest on our flight back from the Maldives, she slept through most of the flights and charmed everyone with her smile and cuteness. In fact, she flew so well that we're tempted to go on a round-the-world trip with her in the near future! This trip has definitely taught us that traveling with a baby really isn't as difficult as everyone thinks it is. Baby Kaleya miraculously slept through most of the flight and...
South Africa Travel News
10 top natural attractions in the Karoo5 Oct 2015 | 12:00 amSend to Kindle What the Outback is to Australia, the Karoo is to South Africa. It occupies 400 000 km²- practically one-third of the country's total area; a vast, semi-arid region in the heart of the country, bounded by mountains in the south and west, and the huge Senqu, or Orange River, on its eastern and northern flanks. This area of little rainfall, blue and cloudless skies, and extreme temperatures may have acted as a barrier to the interior from Cape Town for early settlers, but...
Top Ten Natural Attractions in the Free State1 Oct 2015 | 12:00 amSend to Kindle The term 'free state' dates back to South Africa's early history when, for almost 150 years, the white settlers, who lived between the Vaal and Orange rivers in an area they called the Orange Free State, were independent of British rule. Today the fundamentally Afrikaans province is also the home of the country's judicial capital and birthplace of the ANC. However, the Free State's major appeal is its natural beauty, open farmlands, and...
Top Ten Natural Attractions in the Garden Route28 Sep 2015 | 12:00 amSend to Kindle The Garden Route is a coastal corridor between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains – that divide the Garden Route from the Little Karoo – and the Indian Ocean so richly endowed in natural beauty that one is hard pushed to narrow a list down to a mere 10 attractions. It provides a coastline of some 300 km between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay – one of South Africa's most popular holiday destinations for its effortless combination of ancient forests,...
Twenty Ways To Tell You Are In South Africa23 Sep 2015 | 12:00 amSend to Kindle Every country has quirks and idiosyncrasies that make that country unique, even if with globalisation people and experiences are becoming rather predictable. However, down at the tip of the African continent, things are still very far from formulaic. When it comes to offbeat, original and distinctive South Africa still has a firm grip on what it is to deliver an experience to the visitor. We guarantee you'll still be talking about this list for years to come! Here are...
Top Ten Natural Attractions in the Western Cape21 Sep 2015 | 12:00 amSend to Kindle Africa's most southern region, the Western Cape is also the country's most mountainous and, some would argue, most beautiful province (certainly those who live in Cape Town like to think so). It has more iconic-style attractions than any other province, and the combination of winelands, beaches, mountains and cosmopolitan lifestyle appeal enough to attract over 50% of international visitors to the country (Cape Town's big six tourist attractions are visited by...
Velvet Escape
A celebration of friendships9 Oct 2015 | 6:35 amThe greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it. – Hubert H. Humphrey I truly have. I feel really blessed when I think of the many friends I have, like my childhood friends, Allan and Eugene, whom I grew up with. Though we live in three different corners of the world, our friendship has never been stronger and more meaningful. Or Renate, a lady who sat next to me on a flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur when I was 14-years-old. Till this day, we keep in touch via 'snail mail' and not a birthday or Christmas goes by without a cheery card from Renate. In this age of social media, I've made many more friends, many of whom I've since met in person. United by our passion for travel, we've...
Germany reunified: 25 years on – the video8 Oct 2015 | 8:54 amEast Berliners scrambling to freedom – a miniature re-enactment of the fall of the Berlin Wall at Miniatur Wunderland. A chain of historic events led to the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. The wall formed a barrier that separated not only two ideologies but families and friends for 28 years. The fall of the wall paved the way for the reunification of West and East Germany, allowing for families and friends to be reunited. Since the fall of the wall, a united Germany has established itself not only as a global economic powerhouse but also as a travel destination that has lots to offer to all visitors. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of German reunification, my friends from the Story Travelers...
Velvet moments: dreamy sunset in Amsterdam6 Oct 2015 | 5:43 amI was on my way home from dinner when I passed this canal in Amsterdam's city centre. I always enjoy catching a glimpse of this view when I cycle across the bridge but this scene forced me to brake hard. As I gazed at the colours of this gorgeous sunset in Amsterdam, I was joined by others who happened to pass by. We stood there quietly on the bridge, totally mesmerised by the golden hues in the serene canal, with the two towers of the Rijksmuseum as a backdrop. Simply magical! A dreamy sunset in Amsterdam. Read about things to do in Amsterdam or some of my favourite photogenic spots in Amsterdam. Search hotels in Amsterdam.
Ten things to do in Riga30 Sep 2015 | 1:06 pmA stunning sunset in Riga's Old Town. Riga (map) is the capital city of Latvia, one of the three Baltic nations in northern Europe. Situated on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of the Daugava River, Riga can trace its roots back to the 2nd century A.D. when it was settled by the Livs, an ancient Finnish tribe. It quickly grew into an important trading centre due to its favourable location at the Gulf of Riga. As the settlement grew and became more wealthy, regional powerhouses fought for influence over Riga. Throughout the centuries, Riga was occupied by, amongst others, Sweden, Russia and Germany. These days, Riga is a bustling city with a historic centre that gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997. I...
Five ways to get active in Costa Brava24 Sep 2015 | 4:36 amThe seaside village of Calella de Palafrugell in Costa Brava as seen from the gorgeous Hotel Sant Roc. Costa Brava (map), the land of Salvador Dalí, picturesque medieval towns, gorgeous beaches and some of the best cuisine in the world, is a paradise for those seeking sun, sea, culture, history and gastronomy. Any visitor will soon discover the amazing cuisine and wines – there are many people who come here simply to have a sumptuous meal at Celler de Can Roca (often voted as the world's best restaurant) or any of the other terrific establishments in the region. Totally understandable but those calories start piling up very quickly. Luckily, there are many active things to do in Costa Brava that will help...
The Travel Expert(a)
The Most Romantic Travel in North Italy. Wine, Art and Cars8 Oct 2015 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with Kids Travelling in Italy is in itself a romantic idea for most people. With the country's breathtaking landscapes dotted with ancient ruins, it is the perfect place to spend an awesome vacation with a special someone. From the north, all the way to the south, the regions offer unique characteristics that make it all the more fun and exciting to hop from one place to the other. If you are a couple on a romantic holiday, it would be a good idea to start in the north of Italy. Here are some of the most romantic things to do. 1. Arts, culture and history – Italy is brimming...
The Ultimate City Guide to Birmingham6 Oct 2015 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with Kids Birmingham is a dynamic, diverse British city that's brimming with culture, and the former market town has a history stretching back some 1,500 years. Today, Birmingham is one of the UK's most exciting cities, with a range of great shopping outlets, vibrant nightlife, and award winning restaurants and bars to choose from. The city has a fascinating past, and holds a number of attractions that are perfect for just about anyone – whether you're visiting a Birmingham alone, as a couple, or with friends or family. If you'd like to learn more about the best things...
Looking for Holidays in India? Best Tips to Stay Safe5 Oct 2015 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with Kids India is geographically varied, therefore the climate also varies. Tiny tips can eventually make a big difference, making holidays&travel easier as well as hassle free. Ensure to be aware of the weather around before you plan for a holiday to a country or region. Don't forget to make sure you carry along appropriate clothing to keep yourself comfortable, so you can enjoy your holiday season. English is the most commonly used and understood language in India apart from Hindi being the National Language of the country. Also, interpreters& guidesfor other languages are...
5 Tips to Make your Flight Easier when on a Wheelchair3 Oct 2015 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with Kids Over the course of time, air travel has greatly improved and made easier for all wheelchair travelers. However, that doesn't mean that you should not plan ahead. Air travel can be a particularly long and cumbersome journey, especially if you've been cramped up in the economy class of an overbooked flight. To make the air trip easier, here are 5 simple and effective tips all wheelchair travelers need to keep in mind: Choose the Right Airline All airlines are bound by laws and regulations that require the staff to facilitate wheelchair travelers in any and every...
Top 5 Features to Look for When Choosing a Sleeping Bag1 Oct 2015 | 5:00 amTravel Experta - Specializing in Unique International Family Travel - Helping Families Get the Most of Their International Travels with Kids Are you looking forward to a memorable experience, or would you like a miserable time spent under the stars? Do you know a good sleeping bag, which is suited not just for the respective usage but also your needs and comfort level, can be the difference between either one? So, irrespective of the activities or the season you have planned for, here are the top 5 features you should be considering when shopping for a sleeping bag. 1. Fill A down filled bag, as a compressible and durable fill, is the best option to go for when you want a bag that take less space and is...
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Lakeview Residence, Austin, Texas6 Oct 2015 | 5:00 pmIf you are like us and just cannot tolerate another rustic retreat or another architect-trying-too-hard-to-be-cool stack of oblong concrete-and-glass boxes, there's always the chance that you'll run across a classic. A brand-new residence that has all the characteristic of a timeless beauty. A low-profile building that really fits its surroundings. A stylish home where the outdoors is the key feature. For some time, we've had our eye on this residence, designed by Alterstudio Architecture and skilfully supported by landscape architects at Mark Word Design. The Alterstudio team that included Kevin Alter, Ernesto Cragnolino, Tim Whitehill, Matt Slusarek, Jessica Connolly and Joanna Hartman garnered...
Lake Wakatipu House, Queenstown - New Zealand29 Sep 2015 | 5:00 pmSpectacular scenery – and sheep – are the first things that comes to mind for most of us when we think of New Zealand. For an architect, spectacular scenery is always both a challenge and an opportunity. This was very much the situation for David Ponting, founder of Ponting Fitzgerald (in 1998) of Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand, when he saw the site for what his affluent client hoped would be a "sanctuary." The site was breathtaking with unbelievable views of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand, and the mountains beyond. Rocky, powerful terrain. Strong visual lines. Subdued colour scheme. Nothing dainty or traditionally cozy was going to work. This site had a strong,...
Strauss Apartment - Strasbourg, France.24 Sep 2015 | 5:00 pmWith a floor as beautiful as the chevron-patterned dark hardwood one in this recently renovated classic apartment, the re-imagining designers' main job is to try to not ruin it or its harmonizing and stylish effect. In the case of the Strasbourg, France-based private apartment in question, the other defining features are the gorgeous fourth-floor corner location with the large windows, and the elegant cast-iron railings. Luckily, design team Tomas Umbrasas, Aidas Barzda, Tautvydas Vileikis, Rokas Kontvainis of YCL Studio knew how to leave these elements alone. Not only did they preserve them, they also emphasized them. The gorgeous ceiling moldings, classic crystal chandeliers, the smart placing of...
New CJ Hendry Artworks - Helium Balloon Series29 Aug 2015 | 5:00 pmWe are excited to announce that CJ Hendry is working on another super-cool, exclusive series of hand-drawn images: The Alphabet! Never one to take the easy way out, she has chosen to draw shiny, metallic helium balloons. Drawing anything with just a pen is tough enough - impossible formost of us - but to draw massive photographic images of reflective 3D objects is incredible! But in her typical low-key fashion, CJ Hendry says she decided to create the alphabet series from a set of shiny balloons because she "just likes the mirror effect and the reflection of the balloons, but mostly because it's just fun!" Only one image of each letter will be available plus two special characters: $ (dollar sign)...
Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel, Paphos - Cyprus25 Aug 2015 | 5:00 pmWe hesitate to use words such as charming or sweet here as they might imply excessive cuteness, but the recently completed tiny chapel on Cyprus does have a welcoming, approachable appearance that made us contemplate tiny, cozy spaces. However, we were also immediately aware that this is sanctuary, not some dwelling for friendly trolls. We were also drawn to reflect on visits to small Greek mountain villages where tiny white churches cling to seemingly inaccessible cliffs. And glancing inside and seeing the gorgeous hanging lighting fixtures, we remembered our visits to stalactite caves on several Greek Islands. Cyprus-based, 35-year architect Michail Georgiou, with collaborator Theresa Kwok, has...
Man Tripping
Wendy's BBQ Pulled Pork is Real Deal Delicious!5 Oct 2015 | 7:03 amThis is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Wendy's for IZEA . All opinions are 100% mine. BBQ is a tough thing and that's why it has taken man thousands of years to perfect it. From the earliest caveman who accidentally got the fire too close to the leg of deer he was eating to the pit masters of the American South that turned meat scraps into a delicacy, BBQ is a form of art. Over the years, various quick serve restaurants have attempted to create BBQ dishes that scale well across thousands of locations. ...
We've Found Your New Home Base: Basecamp Hotel Tahoe4 Oct 2015 | 11:10 pmSouth Lake Tahoe is an interesting mixture of high-rise casino resorts, modern ski condos in the Heavenly Village, and old independent motels. There's a relatively new player in the market now and that's Basecamp Hotel. The hotel has taken over the bones of a classic motel, renovated the crap out of it and has even built some all-new buildings too. It's an interesting boutique hotel that somehow actually creates the feeling that you're part of a community when you stay there. It's sort of hard to describe the atmosphere at Basecamp Hotel Tahoe �without visiting.�Imagine it as though ...
A Visit to Washington State's Columbia Crest Winery4 Oct 2015 | 4:00 pmColumbia Crest winery has been in operation for just over 30 years and in that time it has helped transform the Columbia River area of Washington State into one of the top wine producers in the world. It's a little strange maybe that when you think of the West Coast and wine, it's typically California and specifically Napa, Sonoma, or even Santa Barbara area. No one told these guys though, but through scientific research winemakers here discovered that the soils and environmental conditions had world class potential. While there were small wineries in the state as early ...
Exploring British Columbia in the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum3 Oct 2015 | 6:55 amAnyone can "drive somewhere" but to make an absolutely awesome road trip, you've got to combine a few things: friends, vehicle, and setting. It simply isn't enough to just strap in to a car and drive somewhere. The folks at Ford totally get this and developed an incredible route from Vancouver, British Columbia down to Albuquerque, New Mexico to showcase the stunningly awesome 2016 Ford Explorer. For the third part, "friends" ... well they invited a bunch of bloggers and other media people to drive the route along with them. While I had my pick of routes, ...
Four Easy Ways to Make Your Next Romantic Getaway More Fun1 Oct 2015 | 9:38 pmFor some of us, just the opportunity to escape the rigors of daily life and family is exciting enough to make a romantic getaway the perfect adventure. However, there's always ways to make things that much more fun and memorable.� Just remember that this is YOUR time to relax, have fun and be a couple that loves each other. There should be no judgement and you don't need to fly her to Paris to show how much you love your wife. Chances are all she really wants is a great foot rub and for your to make her a great meal ...
Jet Set Smart
ASPEN...WE'RE READY FOR YA!17 Sep 2015 | 2:14 pmHey there everyone!!! �Boy has it been awhile since I've posted here!!! It has been a busy and fun summer for sure! �I have so much to catch you all up on including a fun road trip we made out to the North Fork of Long Island, and an incredible vacation to Walt Disney World in Florida! �In the meantime, Rich and are getting ready to jet set to Aspen, Colorado for my very good friend's wedding. �It will be the first time we are going somewhere without the boys...and we are both so sad about it, but know it will be fun just the two of us! �Well, I have to get back to packing, but don't forget to follow along on Instagram! �Wheels up...Aspen we're ready for ya! ;-)(This picture was taken by my friend who is...
FASHION FRIDAY: SASSY SUIT19 Jun 2015 | 7:18 amHappy Fashion Friday jet setters! �Hope you all have some fun plans for the weekend...and Happy Father's Day to all of the dads and grandfathers out there! �Today's post is all about my love for the jumpsuit (a favorite of mine), and this sassy printed one for under $35 at H&M was just too good to pass up! �I added a hat (bad hair day), a cardigan, a clutch and some sandals for church, but can't wait to wear it again for a date night with some high wedges and maybe a jean jacket. It's comfy and loose�(two mom-friendly qualities), and looks like you spent a lot of time picking out an outfit, when it's just one piece and go! �Gotta love that!Jumpsuit: H&MCardigan: Forever 21 (old, similar)Sandals: Forever...
A NIGHT OF INDULGING!28 May 2015 | 6:46 amTalk about a night of fun!!! �Well that's what this mama got to enjoy a couple of weeks ago for an event called "Indulge" at The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey.�I got a fabulous invitation by the stylish and adorable Corine from Complicated Mama to join her and Sheila from Pieces of a Mom to a "Moms Night Out" filled with shopping, drinks and food. �I was in heaven!!! The Mills at Jersey Gardens was recently taken over by Simon (who happens to own beautiful malls all over the country) and got a face lift that is worth checking out! �The Mills at Jersey Gardens is New Jersey's largest outlet mall with more than 200 stores, including some of my favorites like Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th,...
NEW JERSEY BLOGGER BRUNCH AT TALULA'S4 Apr 2015 | 4:29 amBlogging is my shot at entrepreneurship. �It's my ideas, and my hard work that always go into what you see and read here. �It's the same thing for Talula's in downtown Asbury Park, New Jersey-- a fairly new restaurant that opened it's doors only five short months ago, and has been serving up great farm-to-table food ever since.�Talula's entrepreneurs haven't been able to do too much advertising yet, but instead rely on word of mouth to promote the restaurant. �That is why I picked Talula's as the spot to host my first New Jersey Blogger Brunch.�In attendance were Reesa from Mommalew- a website with tips for moms, recipes, travel ideas and more, Clarissa who is a Life Strategist and Personal Stylist from...
FASHION FRIDAY: HERE WE SNOW AGAIN!20 Mar 2015 | 8:07 amIt's the first day of Spring today and Old Man Winter is preferring to stick around! �That's right...more snow today!!! �When will it end? �We snapped these pictures a couple of weeks ago and I didn't know if I would ever post them because the weather was warming up and it seems Spring was coming, but with this forecast...I thought why not? �At least it's supposed to warm up tomorrow! �These are also the first pictures I've posted on the blog with my new bangs. �I wanted to do something different and thought I'd give them a shot. �I'm not too sure how long I'll keep them though because I have curly hair and they are very high maintenance! �(they also look a bit messy here as I was wearing a hat) Anyway,...
Learning to see in a Newfoundland outport26 Sep 2015 | 11:24 amTwillingate, Newfoundland Twillingate Unscripted Festival makes magic happen on the coast of Newfoundland THE SEA IS A moving thing. Just now, outside my window in Twillingate, it's steel grey with snow-white edging. The horizon blurs softly against the dove grey sky, while the jagged dark rock of the Newfoundland coastline breaks into the ocean like a ship plowing through ice. The wind howls, the rain lashes and streaks of light pick up the mossy green of the hill opposite. The sea surrounds and encompasses this island, and inside too, in the Iceberg Alley Bed and Breakfast, the folks talk about the sea and the industry that depends on it, the fishery. I'm here in Newfoundland for the first time as a guest...
Top 5 festivals of India for foreign visitors16 Sep 2015 | 5:01 pmPhotograph by Andrew Adams of Katha Images 5 festivals in India worth planning your trip around INDIA IS KNOWN for sensory-busting, rambunctious, non-stop festivals. At any time of the year, all over the country, festivals celebrating religion, the phases of the moon, culture, the seasons, India's epic stories (the Ramayana and the Mahabharat) and who knows what else pop up with astonishing frequency. They may all celebrate different things, but they have one thing in common: they're a spectacle to behold. These are festivals well worth visiting India to experience. <ul> <li>Diwali</li> <li>Holi</li> <li>Durga Puja</li> <li>Ganesh Chaturthi</li> <li>Pushkar Camel Fair</li> </ul> Here you will find everything you need to know to start planning your...
Tips for first time travellers to Nepal7 Sep 2015 | 5:53 pmView of Kathmandu from Swayambhunath Differences between India and Nepal travellers need to know This guest post is by writer, editor, Indiaphile and India traveller Elen Turner, who moved from Australia to Nepal sight unseen to start a new job. Here's what she discovered, and her tips for first time travellers to Nepal. I ARRIVED IN KATHMANDU for the first time in the middle of the monsoon. The rain lashed the airplane's windows as we descended into the grey clouds, eliminating any hope of the famous Himalayan views I'd been told to expect. Instead, my first glimpse of my new home was of the hills of the Kathmandu Valley, bright green and lush, and haphazard brick structures crammed together,...
Discovering the heart of Canada in Ottawa2 Sep 2015 | 7:26 pmA new Canadian citizen seeing the Parliament Buildings for the first time Canada's beautiful capital city, Ottawa is the perfect place to begin your Canadian travels WE TURNED THE CORNER on a side street in Ottawa, and boom, there they were, in all their High Victorian Gothic glory, embellished by gargoyles and grotesques, topped by green-tinged copper and intricate spires, every stone of Canada's Parliament Buildings inspiring awe and patriotism. I watched my friend Ajay stand quietly before them. Originally from India, Ajay became a Canadian citizen only a year ago, and he was seeing Ottawa and the Parliament Buildings for the first time. Ottawa is Canada's capital, a small city of about one million...
Lakshman Sagar: Feast and fantasy in the Rajasthan desert26 Aug 2015 | 7:16 pmMardana, zenana, lake and sunset at Lakshman Sagar A luxury resort with a sublime soul in Rajasthan, India DRIVING THROUGH THE scrubby desert of central Rajasthan, we stop to let a herd of goats pass. The goat herder smiles when I step out of the car to take his photo, his deeply lined face topped with a bulbous turban. I'm in rural Rajasthan, driving through the desert, and we're miles from the nearest town, historic fort or carved haveli. It's not the kind of place you would expect to find a luxury resort, and that's the point. Goat herder in Rajasthan We drive through the gates and onto the Lakshman Sagar property, bumping along a dirt driveway, past a rocky hill, topped with a small Hindu temple and...
Yegor Korzh :: Travel Photography :: All Content
Loch Ard Gorge, The Great Ocean Road, VIC, Australia2 Oct 2015 | 1:00 amLoch Ard Gorge, The Great Ocean Road, VIC, Australia
Brighton Beach Huts, Melbourne, VIC, Australia29 Sep 2015 | 1:00 amBrighton Beach Huts, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Racecourse Beach, NSW, Australia11 Sep 2015 | 1:00 amRacecourse Beach, NSW, Australia
The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, WA, Australia8 Sep 2015 | 1:00 amThe Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, WA, Australia
Matilda Bay Boatshed, WA, Australia4 Sep 2015 | 1:00 amMatilda Bay Boatshed, WA, Australia
Singapore Travel Blog
Spend a Relaxing day in Taichung (東勢林場遊樂區 Dongshih Forest Garden)6 Oct 2015 | 9:35 amOnce in a while, we all need a little getaway from the city life and the stresses of technology. Here in 東勢林場 Dongshih Forest Garden, Taichung, you can spend an entire day just relaxing and soaking in the scenic views of the surrounding nature. Upon arrival, the lush greenery and flora (depending on which season you go) instantly relaxes your eyes. Guests can have lunch at 佳霖餐廳 Jialin Restaurant within the Dongshih Forest Garden which serves Hakka cuisine. The simply decorated restaurant looks unassuming at first, but the amazing fresh taste it serves up will definitely delight your tastebuds. The restaurant has many specialties, including the Braised Pork, Black Chicken soup with more...
Exploring Bali and Yogyakarta with Smailing Tour – an Award Winning Tour Agency in Indonesia4 Oct 2015 | 9:51 amBali is a very popular tourist destination for travellers worldwide – with its beautiful resorts and interesting Balinese culture and history. There are however a few things to take note of when travelling in Bali with tourist traps and scams like private hire drivers who are out to earn more from you by bringing you to shops/restaurants that pay them a commission. You will likely get ripped off at these places where they could sell you inferior products or give you a menu with significantly marked up prices. Thus, if you are going to hire a private driver to check out the sights in Bali, make sure you hire one with good reviews on Tripadvisor or other similar sites. There are many travel agencies in...
Review of Farglory Ocean Park at Hualien4 Oct 2015 | 7:22 amWith a variety of over 20 amusement parks speckled across this amazing island, it is without a doubt that Taiwan offers a special experience for everyone. Situated in Hualien County, the Farglory Ocean Park is just a 20 minute car ride away from Hualien City. The park is Hualien's biggest man-made tourist attraction, and Taiwan's first theme park focusing on marine ecology. This theme park is set on a hill facing the ocean, so guests can have a great time enjoying the rides, shows, and the view even in the summer heat. The air here is fresh and windy, and is a great getaway from the bustling city life while staying modern and comfortable. Hualien Ocean Park features eight zones that feature different...
AXA SmartFamily – The Most Well-covered Personal Accident Plan yet30 Sep 2015 | 6:21 amWith the increasing affordability, many Singaporean parents are looking into insurance plans for their children and the family. Some of these policies help people set aside a portion of their income for rainy days or for higher education. But one of the fundamental policies that each parent should own is perhaps the Personal Accident plan. The Personal Accident plan typically offers financial coverage for the insured and his/ her family. Depending on the severity of the accident, the payout will be adjusted accordingly. However, we all know that sometimes money is just not enough to help the family get through with their daily routine if either parent had met with a serious accident. Besides worrying about...
The Ultimate Foodie Tour Experience with MISA Travel's Chef Wan Margaret River Gourmet Escape Tour29 Sep 2015 | 9:19 amHaving gone on food trails in Sydney and the Southern Highlands in Australia, I can attest to the high quality locally-grown and produced food that makes the dining experience in Australia a superb one and this is just with local Australian chefs. I was thus very excited when I heard about the upcoming Margaret River Gourmet Escape in Western Australia from 20 to 22 November 2015 as this is, as they called it "an extraordinary festival of food and wine" with a line-up of star chefs from different parts of the world e.g. London, Mexico City, Moscow and even from Singapore i.e. Sam Leong. If you want to skip the itinerary and route planning to get to the Margaret River Gourmet Escape yourself, then MISA...
Kaleidoscopic Wandering
Ragnar Success at Vail Lake!9 Oct 2015 | 10:06 amWe did it! We finally, actually did it! We finished a Ragnar Trails race. I'm going to write that again just because I can't believe it actually happened: WE FINISHED A RAGNAR TRAILS RACE! This has been a long time coming, believe me. After a stellar race in 2013 with great weather at Ragnar Zion's inaugural year, our luck has not held out. We were snowed out in 2014 and rained out in 2015. With the financial commitment, and time and energy involved with each of these team entries, we were just about to give up for good. And then, on a whim, we decided to ditch Zion and try a new race, this time at Vail Lake, California. Every Ragnar race we've run in has consisted of a core of four – Cory, me...
An Open Book: What I Read in September1 Oct 2015 | 11:48 amSeptember was a busy month on my bookshelf! And October promises to be just as full of reading. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm in the middle of eight different books right now – and I have about 15 more books checked out from the library, just waiting to be cracked open. That doesn't even account for the bookshelf that is crammed with reading material. What I wouldn't give for more hours in the day just to dedicate to reading! Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel Three-line review: Food is a big part of this book but I found the inclusion of recipes and the detailed culinary descriptions to detract from the central story of a forbidden love between Tita and her sister's husband,...
Art, Music and Life Is Beautiful29 Sep 2015 | 5:09 pmOnce again, another spectacular Life Is Beautiful festival has come and gone in Las Vegas. (Last year's write up can be found here.) There is always such an awesome build up and anticipation in the months and weeks leading up to our homegrown urban festival, and it's a bittersweet moment to realize that, once again, it's in the rearview mirror. This year's festival was a whole month earlier than it has been the past couple years. No explanation was ever given for the time frame change (though there was some speculation) but the bottom line is this: It was crazy hot out there! I can put up with heat, but with the crowd of people and concrete jungle stacked on top of the already 100F-degree...
Fili's World
Visions of Antalya Province : Turkey9 Oct 2015 | 6:44 amIn my last voyage I had a stopover in Turkey with some spare time and decided to make a 2-day trip out of it at the Antalya province. The reputation I know about for that area was that it's all about all-inclusive resorts and beaches, but Antalya is so much more than that. From the cloud-high mountains of Tahtali reachable via a scenic cable car to the ancient cities of Phaselis and Perge dating back over 5000 years and then there are the endless gorgeous coastline with pristine clear water beaches. On my first day I stayed near the Antalya old city and soaked in the Turkish experience of Mosques, antiques, and delicious food, and on the following morning I rented a car and roamed around the province. It...
The Panama Canal : Panama City17 Sep 2015 | 12:15 pmI made a last minute decision to go see Panama and when trying to figure out what the local attractions were most websites first pointed me to the Panama Canal, a quick trip from Panama City, proclaimed as one of the greatest architectural projects of our time. I admit my expectations were set high, so I was a little disappointed when I realized what the canal was, a series of water elevators, and very narrow ones at that. I've seen grander operations elsewhere in the world, and it surprised me how basic is all was. However, the 3D movie downstairs and the exhibition went deeper into the historical context and the complexities behind the construction of the canal, and I was once again blown away by the...
Churches and Monasteries : Cologne Germany14 Sep 2015 | 10:10 amWalking around the small old city area of Cologne is a treat. Although the city suffered through World War II, many of the old buildings and churches have been restored, and the result is a stroll back in history. Quite a few things to see in the area. In my walk I went into a few of the churches and monasteries, some dating back to 12th century. � � Alt St. Alban � � Here's from stay.com : The Old St. Alban (Alt St. Alban) is one of the oldest parish churches in Cologne. The first documentary mention of the church dates since 1172, however, the form you see today is more recent. Between 1668-72 architect Arnold Gülich redesigned the church hall completely. The Old St. Alban (Alt St. Alban) bell tower...
Trajan's Forum : Rome Italy13 Sep 2015 | 3:35 amRoaming through the gorgeous city of Rome there were historical and architectural gems in every corner. At the heart of Rome, not too far away from the Coliseum, is Trajan's Forum, a public square erected by emperor Trajan to celebrate the captures from Dacia in 106AD. It's quite surprising how much still remains today, surrounding a main road with old ruins and structures, giving you a feeling of stepping back in time. Such is Rome. � � � Location: � � If you're walking around the center of Rome, you're bound to end up in this area one way or the other. <li>Visions of Rome: Italy</li><li>Castel Sant'Angelo : Rome – Italy</li><li>Touring Old City Jerusalem : Palm Sunday-Easter</li><li>Syriac Orthodox Church : Discovering...</li>
Visions of Topeka and Kansas City11 Sep 2015 | 11:12 pmBack at the end of the 1980s I spent a year living in the middle of no-where US at the little town of Topeka Kansas. I've come to think of that year in the US as one of the best years of my childhood and many things about who I am and what I've become, including my endless passion for roaming around the world and exploring, probably started back in that year. When I realized I was moving to live in Urbana-Champaign Illinois, I planned on visiting back in Topeka to try and relive some of the memories and go back in time to happy childhood memories. In July I finally got the chance, and went on a road trip from Illinois, through Missouri, to Kansas, stopping over in Hannibal, the Mark Twain town, spending...
Reno Tahoe Blog
2nd Annual ULTRA4 Nitto National Championship9 Oct 2015 | 4:02 pmHammerking Productions and Sparks are proud to present the return of ULTRA4! After its successful debut last October, the ULTRA4 championship is serving up a second helping of 4-wheel drive vehicles of all shapes and sizes, racing to qualify for a spot in the King of The Hammers race in February. This monumental race has evolved from a race to win bragging rights and a case of beer, to more than 300 racers competing in front of over 35,000 fans. Sparks hosts the equally intense qualifiers of the King of The Hammers race by bringing you ULTRA4 with more than 100 cars, show-casing their 4-wheel drive capability. The races will be held at Wild West Motorsports Park. This park combines technical rock obstacles...
'Tis the Season9 Oct 2015 | 1:28 pmFor ski resort season passes that is! Just as every skier/snowboarder has their own personal style in gear and moves when carving down the mountain, each one has a personal preference of which mountain they want to spend every day of their season on! No matter which resort you choose, you can't go wrong with these killer season pass deals throughout the Tahoe area. Northstar & Kirkwood & Heavenly! Oh my! Brace yourselves. This is going to be epic. With the Epic Pass, riders have unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Perisher, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Arapahoe Basin- with no blackout dates. Ride as much as you want, whenever you...
Spartan Reebok World Championship Photos5 Oct 2015 | 10:07 amThe Spartan Reebok Race is an event designed to test strength and endurance. The World Championship Race brings together thousands of Spartans from across the globe for a healthy competition against each other. The 2015 World Championship Race was held in Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe Oct. 3rd – 4th. Here is a collection of photos highlighting the event's participants and the challenges and obstacles they faced. � � The post Spartan Reebok World Championship Photos appeared first on Reno Tahoe Blog.
Guide to the 2015 Reebok Spartan Race2 Oct 2015 | 2:48 pm2015 REEBOK SPARTAN RACE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR LAKE TAHOE OCTOBER 3RD-4TH! World's Leading Obstacle Race Series To Host International Field of Elite Athletes Competing For $100,000 in Cash and Prizes Spartan Race, the world's leading obstacle race company, will host the 2015 Reebok Spartan Race World Championship October 3-4, 2015 at the internationally renowned mountain destination Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe. Set on the same hallowed ground as the 1960 Winter Olympics, 10,000 athletes from across the globe will scale some of the most challenging mountain terrain to compete for over $100,000 in cash and prizes. This comes as part of the $500,000 in cash and prizes Spartan Race will award during the...
Calling All Future Scientists!2 Oct 2015 | 2:21 pmTo all of the malleable minds of kids everywhere: get your brain gears turning for these science packed events and experiences in Reno! From everyday simulated space excursions, to the ones you can only dive into once a month for a short amount of time, plan ahead and make this month one for the science books! Have you ever been to space? No? Change that this month at Science Saturdays held at the National Automobile Museum in Reno. Every second Saturday of the month through December, take your learning to the next level. Blast off into simulated journeys throughout the solar system. Learn the stories of the stars in the full dome planetarium programs. Get hands on in their workshops, then experience...
Cruise Radio
Carnival Victory Review + Cruise News24 Sep 2015 | 4:26 pmMark just returned from a four night Western Caribbean sailing aboard Carnival Victory. On this sailing Mark stopped at Key West and Cozumel and had a day at sea. Hear a comprehensive Carnival Victory review. Stewart Chiron has cruise news on: <ul><li>Carnival Cruise Line returns to Mobile, Alabama </li> <li> Norwegian Escape update </li> <li>New cruise port Jamaica on the Southwest coast</li> <li>Listener question:Is Istanbul still an issue for cruise ships - we are about to sail Celebrity in the Med.</li> </ul>
Liberty of the Seas Review22 Sep 2015 | 4:22 pmJanet just returned from Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, a five-night cruise from Bayonne, NJ to Bermuda. Hear Janet discuss the ship, Bermuda and some first time cruise tips. Janet leave no stone unturned on this Liberty of the Seas review.
Adventure of the Seas Review18 Sep 2015 | 4:16 pmOn this show we get a review of Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas from Don. Don and his family did a seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cruise had an interesting twist when both a tropical storm and hurricane affected their sailing. Hear a comprehensive review of Adventure of the Seas. Cruise Guy has cruise news on: <ul><li>Carnival cutting lobster </li> <li>Norwegian Escape shipyard visit </li> <li>Norwegian changing daily service charge policy </li> <li>Celebrity Cruises add late night room service fee</li> </ul>
ms Amsterdam Review14 Sep 2015 | 4:10 pmTheresa Russell just returned from a seven-night Alaska cruise on Holland America Line's ms Amsterdam where she got to experience the beauty of Alaska. Hear a comprehensive review of this ship from a travel expert.
Carnival Pride Review + Shore Excursion Questions10 Sep 2015 | 4:03 pmCraig and his family just returned from a seven-night cruise aboard Carnival Pride from Baltimore. Hear a comprehensive review of Carnival Pride. We answer more of your shore excursion questions from CruisingExcursions.com. Stewart has cruise news on: Carnival Liberty ends cruise in St. Thomas Royal Caribbean building a new cruise terminal in Miami Norwegian Escape conveyance New stores on Norwegian Escape Listener question: How do I find out if a cruise line is going to have a reduced deposit sale?
Nomadic Notes
Where I'm At: Bangkok – October 20153 Oct 2015 | 8:25 amWhere I'm At is my monthly update of what I've been up to, site news, and where I'm going next. [Bangkok] Greetings from Bangkok. This is the second time I've been here this year and as always it's good to be back. I average between two to four weeks a year in Bangkok, making it one of my main travel and social hubs. I've never spent more than a month here but it is a city I always love returning to. I'm here to work, eat street food, and go to events related to the DCBKK (location independent entrepreneurs) and TBEX (travel bloggers) conferences. Where I've Been Sulawesi I spent the first half of September in Sulawesi. I've visited Indonesia nearly every year since 2009 and I try to visit a new island on...
Cool cafes in Kuala Lumpur21 Sep 2015 | 11:31 pm[Flat White at Feeka – Kuala Lumpur] Kuala Lumpur is a major hub for travel in Southeast Asia and is a great city to make a stop-over. While I've always enjoyed coming here for the food and to go shopping at familiar stores, the cafe scene has consisted mostly of the big chains (Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf et al). The good news is that KL has an emerging cafe culture with third wave cafes serving cold brew coffee and flat whites popping up everywhere. Continuing my "cafes to work from" series I have compiled a list of cafes where location independent workers and digital nomads would feel at home at. For the purpose of this list I have focussed mainly on the areas of KL where a visitor would...
Where I'm At: Makassar – Sulawesi2 Sep 2015 | 7:12 amWhere I'm At is my monthly update of what I've been up to, site news, and where I'm going next. Greetings from Makassar. Yes, I'm back in Indonesia and visiting the island of Sulawesi for the first time. And after two months of eating all of the pastries in Europe it is good to be back on the noodles. Where I've Been August was the month of visiting some of the popular digital nomad cities of Europe. I started in Budapest, then Prague and Berlin. I've been a regular visitor to Budapest for years so I knew what to expect there. I hadn't been to Prague or Berlin for 10 years though, so it was good to see what has changed. Prague is still as charming as ever but overwhelming in August with the crowds. Berlin...
Libertad Apparel – the travel shirt that doesn't look like a travel shirt25 Aug 2015 | 11:43 pmI'm always on the lookout for shirts that look good and are practical for travel. The problem I have with most travel clothes is that they usually look like travel clothes. The checklist of travel-shirt cliches include: – variation of green/beige/khaki (army/explorer colours) – ugly fabric – zips and multiple panels – a big logo of the travel company This is acceptable if you spend most of your travel time in the jungles of Borneo, but for me I'm mostly a slow city explorer. I like to spend time in one place and at least look like I am living there. When I go out I like to wear long-sleeves with a collar (and without branding). Finding a shirt that is practical for travel has been a tough quest. Most...
The Green Citadel of Magdeburg13 Aug 2015 | 1:42 amI'm a fan of the Austrian artist and architect Hundertwasser. Whenever I find myself in Austria or Germany (where most of his work is) I make a diversion to visit one. In the case of the Green Citadel of Magdeburg I was on my way from Hamburg to Leipzig, and I saw I could go via Magdeburg. The Citadel has a mix of apartments and office space, with cafes and shops on the street level. Yes, people get to live in this wonderful building. The Citadel stands out amidst the drab communist-era buildings that you pass on the walk from the train station. Magdeburg Travel Resources The Green Citadel of Magdeburg on hundertwasser.at. Magdeburg photo gallery (includes more photos of the Green Citadel of...
Travel | Mail Online
Pauline Cafferkey contracts Ebola again and returns to London hospital isolation unit9 Oct 2015 | 3:23 pmPauline Cafferkey, 39, is in a 'serious condition' at the Royal Free Hospital in London after the RAF flew her down from Glasgow - ten days after she met Samantha Cameron in Downing Street.
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards short list is pure animal magic9 Oct 2015 | 3:15 pmIn its inaugural year, the competition has received 1,502 entries from wildlife snappers based in 52 countries worldwide.
Collapse of ocean currents will reverse global warming for 20 years9 Oct 2015 | 3:15 pmScientists at the University of Southampton have studied what impact the scenario shown in the disaster movie Day After Tomorrow would have on global temperatures.
The extreme testing planes go through before being delivered9 Oct 2015 | 10:29 amSkilled pilots spend hours in the sky putting planes through a whole range of jaw-dropping tests. MailOnline Travel takes a look at just some of the extreme testing carried out on aircraft prior to delivery.
British couple quit their jobs to house-sit for wealthy French people9 Oct 2015 | 10:22 amThree years ago Steve Parry and Julie Dixon quit their jobs, put their home in Abingdon, Oxon, up for rent and became full-time house-sitters in France, staying at properties from Brittany to Monaco.
City Traveler Blog
The Best Restaurants in San Francisco (and the Celebrities Who Love Them)15 Sep 2015 | 10:48 amIt's no surprise that shows like Top Chef, The Taste and The Chew have become popular with the masses: foodies are everywhere! While they may have been considered food snobs in generations past, today's foodies not only love trying delicious new restaurants, but are also able to enjoy the full experience that comes along with dining out these days. And San Francisco is one of the best foodie cities in the country right now. A major restaurant boom over the past few years has both locals and visitors alike scrambling to get reservations to some of the most coveted seats in town. CityPASS has found the hottest restaurants in San Francisco for you to experience yourself. And don't be surprised if...
The Pope is Visiting Philly: Here is Everything You Need to Know17 Aug 2015 | 7:27 amPope Francis is Visiting Philadelphia (Photo Credit) Seeing the Pope in person is rare for most people, but your opportunity has arrived! Pope Francis is visiting Philadelphia on the weekend of Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th. Here's what you need to know as you plan your trip to see the Pope in Philadelphia, and to visit other amazing Philadelphia attractions. Itinerary Saturday, Sept. 26: 8:40am Travel to Philly 10:30am Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (closed to the public) 4:45pm Papal Address at Independence Mall 7:30pm Visit the Festival of Families on Ben Franklin Parkway Sunday, Sept. 27: 9:15am Meeting with bishops at St. Charles Borromeo...
The Beginner's Guide to Atlanta: Travel like a Local11 Aug 2015 | 11:09 amAtlanta is an amazing city, boasting close to 500,000 residents in the city itself, and another 5 million in the metropolitan area that surrounds it. With so much going on, it can be overwhelming to even know where to start looking for things to do in Atlanta. There are a lot of major tourist attractions in the city, but if you really want to enjoy the hidden gems, try to explore Atlanta like a local. Here are five activities you don't want to miss on your trip to the capital city of Georgia. Tubing in the Chattahoochee River Chattahoochee River This summertime staple is a much-loved activity in the Atlanta area. If you're looking for things to do in Atlanta this weekend, give it a shot!...
Romantic Activities for Couples in Seattle10 Jul 2015 | 7:16 amSpace Needle at Sunset Trying to find the perfect romantic getaway, packed with heart-throbbing dates sure to sweep your significant other off of their feet? Love is in the air of Seattle, hanging on the gray clouds enveloping the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, and trickling down below into the city. Fuel the fire of romance with these great Seattle attractions that are sure to heighten the attraction between you and your date. The Space Needle: A Date in the Sky Take your relationship to new heights at the famous Seattle Space Needle. It's the perfect place to see the entire city, 520 feet high in the sky. A 360-degree view of picturesque Seattle is sure to impress any date, and it's a good...
Boston vs New York: How Does Each City Stack Up?30 Jun 2015 | 3:01 pmNew York City and Boston are situated on the Eastern seaboard and attract millions of tourists from around the world each year. Boston's Colonial roots mark it as the "Cradle of Liberty," while New York City's Statue of Liberty was the first sight many immigrants saw as their ships sailed toward Ellis Island. But, that's where the similarities end and the delightful differences begin. Boston views itself through the lens of blue-collar pride; it's a collegial, down-to-earth destination that never takes itself too seriously. New York, on the other hand, prides itself on being a busy, bustling hub of culture and arts running over with sophistication. While New Yorkers revel in moving forward...
National Parks Traveler
Rediscovering National Parks In The Spirit Of John Muir9 Oct 2015 | 1:45 amThough he "retired" in 1995, Dr. Michael Frome has really never stopped writing, nor caring, about the national parks. In this, his 95th year, the distinguished journalist who has dedicated... For the rest of the story, and a daily dose of national park news, visit www.nationalparkstraveler.com
House Committee Supports Bill To Open Up Paddling In Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Parks9 Oct 2015 | 12:45 amWith a 23-15 party line vote the House Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation that would force the National Park Service to open up more than 400 miles of streams to paddlers in... For the rest of the story, and a daily dose of national park news, visit www.nationalparkstraveler.com
Yellowstone National Park Sets Visitation Record9 Oct 2015 | 12:45 amMore people have experienced Yellowstone National Park this year than in any previous year, and there still is time for more visitors to see the park's thermal wonders, wildlife, and majestic... For the rest of the story, and a daily dose of national park news, visit www.nationalparkstraveler.com
New Look For Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Visitor Center Debuting Soon9 Oct 2015 | 12:30 amAfter much work, the visitor center at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Washington state is just about ready to reopen to the public. For the rest of the story, and a daily dose of national park news, visit www.nationalparkstraveler.com
Group Seeks Endangered Species Act Protection For Joshua Trees8 Oct 2015 | 12:30 amWith concerns that the Southwest's iconic Joshua trees will be pushed out of 90 percent of their current habitat by the century's end due to climate change, a group has petitioned the U.S.... For the rest of the story, and a daily dose of national park news, visit www.nationalparkstraveler.com
The Josambro Taiwan Bicycle Adventure28 Sep 2015 | 1:18 pmGreetings, XPATMATT readers As my friend and fellow Nomadic Adventurer Matt Gibson has been kind enough to allow me to hijack his blog for a few hundred words to tell his readers about my new venture, I suppose an introduction is in order. I'm Joshua Samuel Brown, author of 13 Lonely Planet guides, and like Matt, a long-time wanderer, writer and global adventurer. The place I've lived the longest is Taiwan (It's a great place for an extended adolescence, as Matt I'm sure will attest), becoming an expert on the land, its people and culture. After a few years away from my beloved island, I'm heading back next month for a new adventure. Your honorable guide on a snack brak. Earlier this year I was contacted by...
The Great Big List of Cheap Outdoors & Travel Gear Websites15 Sep 2015 | 10:28 pm(Last updated September, 2015) **This post includes affiliate links, which means I am paid a small commission of any sales resulting from their use. For more information see my disclosure policies page. How These Websites Sell Such Cheap Stuff By buying selloffs and promotions in bulk and avoiding the overhead costs of physical stores (leases, employees, bills, etc.) discount gear websites are able to offer incredibly cheap travel and outdoors gear. Seriously. You can find good brand-name products for 40-80% off on these websites on any given day. I shop almost exclusively at these stores these days. More and more of these stores have sprung up in recent years, but some are much better than others,...
My 4 Favorite Canadian Adventures (So Far)1 Sep 2015 | 8:00 amNear the peak of Mount Fisher I was asked by Expedia Canada to share my favorite Canadian adventures, but all content and views expressed are 100% my own. Because of my work, I have a lot of online friends — people I've only spoken to through chat and email and other written communications. They all know I'm Canadian. I'm fairly well-known online as one of those Canadian travel bloggers. But when first meet people and start to talk eyes widen and jaws go slack. "You really are Canadian." They'll say after I let fly a monologue filled with 'eh's and 'oh yeah's. Since I'm so well-known as a being a Canadian blogger, I think it's about time I paid tribute to the Great White North as a...
Why You Need To Go On A Microadventure26 Aug 2015 | 11:48 pmYour author on a microadventure By Guest Blogger Sebastian Solberg I was very fortunate to grow up in the beautiful countryside of New Zealand, surrounded by nature and water. Growing up I was very active exploring and was always the wilderness with friends and family! However I then moved to London at age 19 to pursue a career in the film industry. I've now been living in England for 5 years and it took me a year or two to really appreciate how important exploration and adventure is to the human spirit especially when living in the big city! On a swing at sunset At the start of this year I first heard about microadventures from the creator Alastair Humphreys. The idea behind the concept is that you can go...
The 48-Hour Calgary Adventure12 Aug 2015 | 8:44 amThis trip was sponsored by Tourism Calgary, but all opinions are my own. In May Calgary Tourism offered me a challenge; to see how many adventure activities I could fit into 48-hours in the city. They'd send a film crew to document it and they'd foot the bill for the project. Would I do it? Hell yes I'd do it. I wasn't going to turn down my third chance to be in a professional production (this was the first, and this was the second). They asked what activities I wanted to try. "Let me do some research and get back to you." I replied. My fingers pecked my keyboard with hummingbird-like ferocity and my browser tabs multiplied like bunnies in the spring. I'd heard there was a standing wave that...
A Traveler's Library
Eat Your Way Through This Mystery Set in Provence25 Sep 2015 | 12:23 pmBook: The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne by M. L. Longworth Destination: Aix en Provence, France This is the fifth outing for the Provence couple Antoine Verlaque, prosecutor, and Marine Bonnet, law professor. A painting disappears, that may or may not be an authentic work of the most famous resident of Aix, Paul Cézanne, so we are treated to a secondary plot line that takes us back to the artist's life. When I previously reviewed Death in the Vines, an earlier installment of the Verlaque and Bonnet mysteries, I complained that it was difficult to keep the characters straight. Whether my reading skills have improved, or M. L. Longworth has done a better job of individualizing the characters, I don't...
Road Trip in Surprising Alabama and Georgia15 Sep 2015 | 4:57 pmThe third of articles I wrote for My Itchy Travel Feet appeared last week. The three all portrayed parts of our June road trip in Southern states, including three I had not visited before–Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. The Little River National Preserve in Alabama. Photo by Kenneth R. Badertscher On our southern road trip, we wanted to cut through the northeastern corner of Alabama on our way from the Atlanta Georgia airport to Chattanooga TN. Not the direct route, but new territory to cover. I found some little-known byways and a couple of terrific parks (one in Alabama and one in Georgia) on this road trip. You can read about it at Exploring the South's Little Known 3-State Byway. To review other...
Travel stories and tips for adventure travel and culture tourism seekers
Bucket List Travel Destination – Greece21 Sep 2015 | 10:46 amOpa – Here I come! After living in the Mediterranean during college and follow up travel to many other places in Europe professionally, it is time to visit Greece. For nearly a decade, it has only been first on my bucket list. After surviving a traumatic accident six years ago, I'm going to celebrate Opa style in the Greek Isles. You betcha, I'll be getting my Greek on (Yes, that's Wisconsinite for I'm all in!)! I mean the dancing, whitewashed towns, wine, cheese, olives, and history that is almost unfathomable. Let's face it while in Greece you need to digest that you are witnessing a place that was the center of modern civilization not hundreds of years ago but thousands. Although I'm looking forward to...
Reasons Why a Trip to Nice Is the Perfect Vacation17 Sep 2015 | 9:11 amWhen it comes to planning a relaxing break in Europe, Nice is the perfect destination. The capital of the French Riviera, this seaside city has a lot more to it than the beautiful beaches that it is famous for. With it's unique mix of elegance, city life and year round sunshine, Nice is somewhere that is suitable for all travelers. Everyone from backpackers to families will fall in love with this amazing city. There are some incredible restaurants here; the cultural heritage is fantastic, and the beaches are out of this world. This city has so much to it that you could spend a month here and still not have seen and done everything. Of course, the city's most popular attraction by far is its beautiful...
With New Eyes – The Adventure of Architecting a New Life, Life 2.08 Sep 2015 | 4:00 amReaders of my adventure travel posts have witnessed some of what I call my Life 2.0 transformation. When I started this travel blog in 2008, I was a VP of Marketing and PR jet-setting from Berlin one day to Mexico City the next and red-eye flights back to Florida. I was juggling a lot of balls: successful executive, wife, homeowner, and a healthy, gym rat. Then in the fall of 2009, on one of my travels New York, I took out the trash and went blank. I awoke five days later in the ICU. Others had to fill in the pieces of the puzzle as to what had happened. That normal fall day, as I turned the corner to throw the trash in the dumpster, a thousand pound tree limb struck me breaking my neck and leaving me...
Kauai Adventure Travel from Farm to Table with Nani Moon Meadery28 Aug 2015 | 1:49 amThe farm to table movement of locally sourcing menus in the hospitality industry has been all the rage for years with Chefs like Alice Waters leading the charge. However, one thing has remained relatively untapped, the bar. Mosts bars are set up fairly similarly. The tap beer selection is most likely a combination of local and international favorites with the wine list sporting a local wine if available then a laundry list of international favorites. However, on the Garden Isle of Kauai, one business, Nani Moon Meadery, has taken farm to table to the next level with 100% locally grown, sourced, and made mead. You may not be familiar with mead. I certainly wasn't. I vaguely remember reading about this six...
Sun Surf and Suds with the Kauai Beer Co22 Aug 2015 | 6:29 amWhen one travels to Kauai, you expect some of the best sun and surf the Pacific can offer. Whether your chosen Kauai adventure be basking on the bow of a catamaran sailing the Napali Coast or paddling out to catch waves with professional surfers in Hanalei, you'll be ready for happy hour or pau hana with a touch of locally crafted beers from Kauai Beer Co. Having the opportunity to live only blocks from Lihue location, I have witnessed first-hand and tasted its progress since its opening in 2013. With a wide selection of seven drafts and one rotating nitro tap, Kauai Beer Co has brought the biergarten to the Garden Island. Open Wednesday through Saturday, you can choose to enjoy its suds along with its...
littleindiana.com » Jessica Nunemaker
Hoosier Fun! Indiana Festivals this Weekend9 Oct 2015 | 12:00 pmArt Sanctuary Open Studio Linda Barrett in Martinsville, Indiana What's going on in Indiana this weekend? Plenty! Now that Mother Nature is really starting to put on a show in some parts of the state, there is no better backdrop to loads of outdoorsy fun than that. Don't worry, there are plenty of rain or shine events AND plenty of indoor activities as well. Craft shows to fall festivals, glass pumpkins to 5K runs, there's certainly something here for even the pickiest member of your group. Of course, you could always check out my Indiana Festivals and Events Calendar to see even more. Remember, these festival highlights only cover this weekend and next week up to the Thursday. THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE...
Hunter's Honey Farm: Busy Bees Since 19108 Oct 2015 | 12:30 pmThe Exterior of Hunter's Honey Farm in Martinsville, Indiana: Tosha from Visit Morgan County Greets Our Small Group At Hunter's Honey Farm in Martinsville, Indiana, some might say that honey runs through their veins. That's because four generations of the Hunter family have worked with bees. It all begin with Gilbert Perigo. He's the family patriarch who began dabbling with beekeeping, snagging his first swarm when he was in high school. By 1910, he had several hives that he used to pollinate the family orchard. It took time to grow the hives because this was not his full-time job. Gilbert was a teacher. But over the years, he kept adding to his aviary, or bee yard (a place where honeybees are kept),...
Who is Ready for Fabulous Indiana Festival Fun?2 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amIndiana Festivals and Events Calendar I hope you had a chance to get out last weekend. I have to keep reminding myself that, before I know it, the weather is going to turn sour, and we will return to heavy sweaters, boots, and winter coats. Yuck. In the meantime, I have been soaking up every last bit of sun that I can! What's in store this week? Oh, you know, pumpkin themed festivals, a free family festival, a large bluegrass music festival, a dog walk, and even an RV camper rally. Good stuff, right? You bet'cha! That's the way we roll around here. In case you missed it last week, I rolled out the WORLD'S BIGGEST guide to Indiana haunted houses. Oh, yeah. It is action-packed and waiting for you! I even...
Indiana Blogs: Vivacious Victorian30 Sep 2015 | 8:00 amIndiana Blogs: Vivacious Victorian Before we dig into today's featured Indiana blogger, I'd like to take a look back. Once upon a time, more than eight years ago now, my husband had gotten out of the Navy, and we were pining for somewhere of our own to live. Finding a job was almost impossible. All of our things were in storage, except what precious little we could pack in the car, along with our 18 month old son, and two cats, for the long return home to Indiana from Seattle. While my father-in-law served out his first tour in Afghanistan, we took over his place. In the agonizing, unexpected six months it took for my husband to find a job, we did nothing but dream about our own home. When it finally...
Indiana Haunted Houses: How to Find them ALL26 Sep 2015 | 9:00 amThe BIGGEST List of Indiana Haunted Houses in the WORLD! When you want to scare the daylights out of your spouse, friend, or significant other, there's no better way to tackle it, than with a visit to a haunted house in Indiana! This is absolutely the most comprehensive list of haunted happenings around the state! Seriously, it doesn't get any better than this. No way and no how (as they say in the Wizard of Oz). Arranged by town and city, look for your favorite Indiana haunted houses. Be sure to double-check that a business is open for the time you plan to arrive before you head out the door. Whenever possible, a phone number is listed. When there is no phone number, simply check in on the business website...
traveling greener
What Should You Pack if You Go Traveling?29 Sep 2015 | 6:00 pmTraveling is such a fantastic thing, but what should you actually take with you? Naturally, much of this depends entirely on the type of travel that you will do. A backpacker traveling through Australia for a year will have very different needs to someone who booked on one of the many Globus Tours that exist. Below, however, are some of the things that everybody needs to carry with them, whether physically or in their mind. Day Packs A day pack is what you carry with you during your travels when you are exploring. It needs to be big enough to carry some souvenirs that you may purchase, but not so big that it gets in the way. Always have some money in there (not your entire vacation budget) and a bottle of...
For Your Next Montreal Trip, Rent a Condo31 Aug 2015 | 10:16 pmThe second largest city of Canada, Montreal has emerged as one of the vital tourist destinations over a decade or so. It is often said that people who visit this exclusive city is so mesmerized by its beauty that they are compelled to the place again and again. Are you one of those who are planning to visit Montreal soon? Then, it is highly advisable that you rent a condo rather than staying in a hotel. For this, you need to contact a reliable condominium realtor Montreal as soon as possible. It is the apt professional developer who has the entire knowledge regarding the real estate industry of Montreal. It is through the expert that you can catch hold of the best condo Montreal during your stay. Why the...
Montreal. A perfect place for foodies23 Aug 2015 | 6:08 pmFind out for yourself why foodies love Montreal. The city has the highest number of restaurant per capita in Canada- almost 65 restaurants per kilometer squared- which makes it second in North America close after New York. Menus are heavily influenced by flavors from all around the world, ranging from the finest French cuisine to cheap, local favorites. For bonafide foodies and for people looking for a late night bite alike, Montreal's a welcoming treat. Top lunch and dining destinations can be found all over the city. Most downtown restaurants are concentrated between Guy and Peel Street and on the side streets that run between René Levesque Boulevard and Sherbrooke Street. There, try out the city's...
Choose Your Dream Running Vacation20 Aug 2015 | 6:03 pmSerious runners don't leave the running shoes behind when they go on vacation. In fact, the most dedicated runners often choose vacation spots with superb running trails either as the main draw or part of a getaway plan. The United States has some of the finest running vacation destinations in the world. Here are some of the best. Chicago in the summer The 18-mile trek along Lake Michigan's shoreline is a breath of fresh air. Cool breezes and the Chicago skyline make this a terrific summertime trail. Chicago also offers tons of other attractions, including the Natural History and Art Museums, theater, concerts, professional sports and fine dining and superb shopping along the Magnificent Mile. Colorado's...
Travelling Tips to Ensure Absolute Luggage Safety16 Aug 2015 | 8:59 amTravelling to some new place is always exciting but at the same time, it is important that you take care of your belongings in an absolute safe manner. You will be obviously become heart-broken or frustrated if your luggage gets stolen or lost while you are on the move. Thus, it is important that you buy the best luggage locks and ensure security of your valuable belongings in an apt and systematic way. It is often said that traveling light is an ideal safety measure. However, in this modern day time when crime is on the rise, this is not enough at all. So, this article has brought to your attention some of the vital factors that need to be taken into consideration. Getting to know about some fruitful...</ul>
Plum Deluxe
5 Creative Ways to Cultivate Gratitude Without a Journal7 Oct 2015 | 4:00 amExpressing gratitude and cultivating (and investing in) high-quality relationships are two of the best things I have done to create a life that I love. In the moments when I have told people why I am grateful for them, I can see how much those words matter. I believe we should be saying them all the time. I also believe that it's time to shift the way we practice gratitude and get a bit more creative. It's not brainstorming a list of "Things We're Grateful For," but about taking gratitude into real life. Here are some ideas. Handwritten Notes Okay, so the "thank you note" isn't exactly a new concept. But what if you send a handwritten letter to someone because of how they made you feel? Or because...
Cheese Spreads and Savory Scones for a Warm Autumn Teatime5 Oct 2015 | 4:00 amAfternoon tea is often marked by cakes, jams, tarts, and sugared cream, but some days a savory tea is just the thing to warm up a chilly autumn afternoon. Scones still play a starring role with their flaky, buttery insides that are an excellent base for sumptuous cheesy spreads. Hold the Cream, Pass the Cheese Rather than plain or sweet, turn your scones into savory delicacies by the addition of spices such as paprika, garlic, and onion, and grate in lavish mounds of Parmesan, sharp cheddar, or smoked Gouda. Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with fleur de sel before baking until golden brown. While the scones bake, there is time to mix a couple of luscious spreads to top them with. Soft...
Drink Your Greens: Double Green Tea Smoothie Recipe2 Oct 2015 | 4:00 amGreen smoothies are having something of a moment. There's a reason why these brightly hued drinks have been dominating your social media feeds: they're an easy way to increase your intake of green vegetables (and the corresponding nutrients that come with them). Smoothies are easy breakfasts for those of us on the go, and by blending greens with more traditional breakfast foods like fruit, consuming greens for breakfast becomes instantly more palatable. What's the Health Hype? Meanwhile, in the same corner of the rainbow, green tea has also been enjoying the spotlight. High in flavonoids and catechins, both of which function as antioxidants, green tea is rapidly becoming the drink of choice for the...
How to Host a Coloring Party for the Creative in You30 Sep 2015 | 4:00 amColoring isn't just for children anymore. With talented artists creating stunning coloring books and pages for adults, coloring can be as therapeutic, inspiring, and creative for grown-ups as it is for kids. One way to embrace your inner artist is to host a coloring party for friends who would love a few hours set aside to do nothing but draw, paint, and color — and maybe eat, drink, and chat up a storm with good mates, too. Encourage Artistry The first step is to make your home a haven for creativity. Clear a large table or supply your guests with handy TV trays so they can have their own mini studio. Set out a dizzying array of colorful implements for them to use. Boxes of crayons, pencil crayons,...
How to Deal with an Overloaded To Do List28 Sep 2015 | 12:28 amIt's a rarity to come across someone who is truly bored, 24 hours a day. We live in a world that prioritizes and cheers on the overachiever, a world that promises that you'll feel better by putting more and more things on your calendar and to-do list and checking those things off. Oh, the sweet, sweet satisfaction of checking off that to do list. And Plum Deluxe tells you about so many beautiful things to do — tea parties, meditations, baking projects — it can all feel overwhelming. Here's what to do if you feel that way. (Yes, it's a list, but I promise it's short.) First, ask yourself: what really isn't a priority here? Time-out for a sec. Is there stuff on your to-do list that really isn't...
J The Travel Authority
Bicycling on Randall's Island in New York City30 Sep 2015 | 6:47 pmPoor Randall's Island. It doesn't seem to get any respect, even from the locals. Many have no idea where it's located -- in the East River. Some think it's one big prison. In fact, the island is noted for its mental health facilities as well as several shelters; but no one else lives on the island. My reasons for visiting really surprised everyone: I was going to check out the wildflowers. Well, actually one weekend I rented a bicycle to check out the bridge architecture. And the next week, I visited on a weekday for the wildflower meadow tour.The Randall's Island Park Alliance is all about promoting the environment and raising awareness of our wetlands and waterways. On this island with almost five miles...
Maine Cross Country Ski Weekend in Pictures27 Sep 2015 | 8:22 amIt's probably not surprising to read an article describing how cell phones have infiltrated every aspect of our lives. But reading an article in the Sunday New York Times today "Step Away From The Phone"��-- describing, among the cell phone "detox" methods, how phones may need to be put into a lock box in order to foster normal human interactions in the home -- made me reflect on how I often completely disconnect from the phone and the Web by immersing myself in the wilderness.�One of these trips with the Appalachian Mountain Club was a long weekend of guided lodge-to-lodge cross country skiing from Gorman Chairback to Little Lyford Lodge in Maine. The phone is the furthest thing from my mind -- lock box...
Paris in Pictures20 Sep 2015 | 1:52 pmMy friends and colleagues virtually swooned when I informed them I was spending a week in Paris. (Sadly, when I told them my next trip was to Sarajevo, Bosnia, all I got was silence and then the odd question "Why would you go there.) That being said, for most travelers Paris is all about visiting the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and other iconic sights. And it's also perhaps all about shopping. I didn't do either. Instead my trip focused in on parks and gardens, smaller art museums and galleries, wine bars and wee coffee shops and cafes.The Jardin Catherine Laboure is so tiny that even Parisians were perplexed as to where it was. It's a bucolic haven for local residents, created on the site of a...
My Newly Designed Website10 Sep 2015 | 9:42 amSometimes it seemed easier to find a competant, personable and smart hair stylist and colorist �-- never easy for me �-- than a web designer. I'd tried for years -- yes, years -- to find someone to redesign my website. And, yet, even after doing an extensive vetting process, I ended up with people who overcharged, set things up that didn't work properly, gave me the exact opposite of what I wanted -- what isn't clear about my saying "I don't want anything Goth or retro" only to see that they designed a site that was Goth- or retro-laden? -- or disappeared off the face of the earth, never answering email or voice mail.I basically gave up. And then everything changed when I ran in to Mickey Luckens -- in...
Packing Tips for the Plane31 Aug 2015 | 11:28 am� ��With economy seating getting tighter and tighter, there's even more reason to have all your necessities -- especially on long flights -- in a small shoulder or tote bag that easily fits under your seat. I recently blogged that I've managed to go even lighter than ever before in terms of my never-check-luggage packing, carrying a backpack that itself fits under my seat, beside my wee shoulder bag. No climbing over your seatmates during the flight to access your overhead luggage. (On my recent flight from Amsterdam, the person in front of me got up no less than 15 times during the 7 hour flight to get into his overhead luggage, in the process causing pieces of luggage to barely miss hitting a fellow...
Two Kids and a Map
Road Trips – Through the Eyes of an 11 Year Old1 Oct 2015 | 6:16 pm*Recently, my son had to write a personal narrative for his language arts course. He chose to write about our summer road trip and how it affected him. I am posting this here with his permission. Road Trips Road trips are the best thing ever, especially this one. My sister, my mom, my grandma, my three cousins, and I went on a road trip this summer. We planned to visit Tucson, Arizona, see the Four Corners, and explore Mesa Verde National Park but we didn't know our trip would take a detour. Road trips give you the chance to learn interesting facts, see new places, and learn new things about yourself. First, we decided we were going to go on a road trip and it was the longest one I've been on. We got...
Aventura Clothing Fall Favorites for Travel22 Sep 2015 | 7:13 am*As an ambassador, I receive three outfits from Aventura Clothing. I loved the line before I became an ambassador and spend a large amount of my paycheck on Aventura clothing! Aventura is offering 25% off any purchase from Aventura using the code AMBF25. I also have five one time discount codes for 60% off of the original prices up to $250. I will give a code to the first five people who comment on this post. What are you waiting for? Head over there and place your order! When I am packing my suitcase for travel, I keep a few things in mind: Will the item look like it was balled up in a corner for three weeks when I pull it out of my suitcase at my destination? Does the item weigh too much? Can I wear the...
Don't Miss Your Local Fall Festivals!20 Sep 2015 | 8:04 pmI feel it is safe to say, no matter where you live in America, you are probably able to find some sort of local fall festival. You may not live near apple orchards or pumpkin patches, but you likely have at least one event to celebrate the harvest. We happened across one of our local festivals by complete accident! I saw an ad two days before in the Momaha, a local Omaha magazine our daughter brings home from school. My advice: DON'T MISS IT! I have yet to attend a fall festival that I regretted. In Virginia, I drove 3 hours to go to my nearest, decent sized apple orchard and the State Fair happened to be along the way. I picked apples (and many other fruits) on a regular basis in Newport, Rhode...
The Bellagio is a Cut Above the Rest28 Aug 2015 | 6:29 pmWhen planning a surprise trip to Vegas for our 15th wedding anniversary, I went back and forth with where I should stay. Which hotel had the best amenities for us at the right price? After much research, I decided to book the Bellagio. It cost me about $200 a night but it included an $80 food credit. This made the cost for two nights a little bit easier to swallow. We arrived in Vegas, caught our ride to the hotel, and stood in line to check in. It was about midnight and we were surprised to find the line practically out the door. It didn't move very quickly but we were able to take in the sites of the lobby while we waited. When it was finally our turn, we were informed that all that was left was a...
Two Hours in Grand Canyon National Park22 Aug 2015 | 11:05 amTwo hours at the Grand Canyon? That seems a bit ridiculous for a national park that is 215 miles and takes five hours to drive between the North and South Rims. But what do you do when you have a massive road trip planned out perfectly and on the morning of day 3, you realize that the Grand Canyon is only two hours out of your way? You reroute the GPS of course! We had a tight itinerary that was more driving than sightseeing. On day one, we drove from Denver, Colorado to Tucson, Arizona. We spent the next day visiting family and then it was time to continue on. The original plan was to leave Tucson and drive to Mesa Verde National Park, while stopping at the Four Corners. While looking at a map, it was...
Cruise Buzz
Azamara Design Update5 Oct 2015 | 7:48 amReimagine Azamara A couple months ago I had an opportunity to sail on Azamara Quest. On the last day of my 14-day cruise in England, Ireland, and Scotland (read more) I had an opportunity to see a prototype of a "reimagined" guest suite (to read that article, click here). To follow are highlights from the […] The post Azamara Design Update appeared first on Cruise Buzz.
Best in London: Martini Master Class at the Egerton House Hotel21 Sep 2015 | 7:32 amBest Martini in the heart of Knightsbridge � Before my London Layover, I did some research about the Egerton House Hotel's martini master class. What I stumbled upon is an almost cult-classic experience celebrated by numerous nations around the globe. When I had a chance to learn the art of the perfect martini, barman Esley […] The post Best in London: Martini Master Class at the Egerton House Hotel appeared first on Cruise Buzz.
Azamara wins social media award from Skift2 Sep 2015 | 7:18 amSkifties 2015 Social Media Awards for Travel Brands Congratulations to Azamara Club Cruises for winning a Skiftie. The boutique cruise line won the following award: Most Effective Brand on Social Media – Cruise Line: Azamara Club Cruises Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter / YouTube Skift wrote that Azamara paired content with relevant links to drive higher rates of site referrals across its platforms from a […] The post Azamara wins social media award from Skift appeared first on Cruise Buzz.
theafricatravelblog.com » Sacha
Want Piece of Content Along Auto Restoration Which a Lot of Superb Advice9 Oct 2015 | 11:19 amBy amncnbfjbjandkewf dmncmanbjcbafbrnkf – Will you need 4l80e transmissions for sale car repairs yet somehow would like to get away from hassles? Owning the effectively career completed within your used car or truck could in fact be tiredness before you can actually ever check out a repair shop. It is difficult to understand the right place for taking your chariot, so as to determine whether that can be done the exact improve alone. Take a while to check out the tips forwards to educate yourself your capability to one's truck. Prior to you let the repair act on auto, make sure to have the ability to within the prices lower. Check out the other penalty fees that pop up with the revive along with allegations...
Suggestions to Get Bikini Procedure9 Oct 2015 | 11:05 amGetting your excellent Bikini Overall body is premised on two important things. An awesome eating habits as well as two the right training routine. In all the because there are a substantial amount of Bikini Physique packages available on the market, a detailed viewing of these, will reveal that they all reveal a core of basics. I will be talking about these; Preparing, diet program, regular exercise, toning up; getting empowered and ways in which they can be meshed collectively into at least one training course here now. Prep First thing you should do is scheduled dreams. Which may be to choose what you need to quickly attain before you begin the application. What do you desire to increase? Do you want to...
Make Money Online Website Thoughts9 Oct 2015 | 10:50 amPeople may additionally use blogging applications to make money online. Unlike sites, blogs do not require capital. They are easily able to be established in minutes. After done, the owner can post merchandises to sell or advertise other people's products. Nonetheless, site owners should be creative enough to think of an interesting blog topic. This could help make sure that more people will see the site. Yet again, I place my notion that I could make money online aside. These books got me extremely excited at the same time, almost to the idea of taking action. But it still wasn't enough! Nevertheless, over the few years that followed, I continued to have this notion in the back of my mind people are truly...
Prior to Buying Understand Consolidation9 Oct 2015 | 10:25 amIt will be basically consolidate debt Albany difficult to clarify the anguish and therefore suffering where high credit balances heightened levels don people today plus their visitors identical. Frequently have breathing difficulties, it will be important for any person working with your reality to gain a number of education on the stock market for a debt consolidation loan. The results written here is designed service the individuals research most of the choices by face wide open. Escape local store consolidating debts in addition to large institutions. Choosing the best traditional bank could be as easy as searching for on the internet. Financial institutions that comes with the Internet can offer the...
Things to Be Informed About Metacafe Advertising9 Oct 2015 | 10:25 amDigg auto like deal famous proposal just for inappropriate with that . do so also home owners have built up an internet page. You might want to have a look at creating a durable occurrence in that device you should be newer approach contact your current viewers. Begin by looking at this invaluable posting for many Zynga advertising and marketing helpful tips. Regular interaction is key. Look closely at any customers along with what they gotta have. A whole lot of businesses that have proven to be very successful have learned some ideas from marketing in people. Please do not neglect ceiling fans as they simply are generally the real your success up to now. Contact the chums to your prospects via supporting...
Caribbean Travel Blog - RumShopRyan
Why Seeing Key West By Bike Is The Best Locomotion7 Oct 2015 | 5:05 amLast week I took my first day trip to Key West aboard the Key West Express. The Express is the fast ferry that travels back and forth from Ft. Myers to Key West. As many of you probably know I've taken the Key West Express many times in the past, but I've always stayed multiple nights on island. I've never traveled down and back on the same day. This left me and my Impulse Creative team a total of about 5 hours on island. Not much time, but if you do it right and are able to move around quickly, you'll still have a great time. How can you not have a good time on that crazy rock right?! To see as much of Old Town Key West as possible in the limited amount of time we had, renting a few bikes seemed like the...
Beach Ethics – The Unwritten Rules of the Sand5 Oct 2015 | 6:30 amI wrote this story back in 2011 but thought it needed to be brought back to life. Castaway Crystal and I this past Sunday on Lovers Key here in Southwest Florida and experience a total lack of beach ethics. I'd like to tell you about the situation and then refresh the list of the unwritten rules of the beach. There we were, sitting on the white sand on the Big Carlos Pass side of Lovers Key. It wasn't the nicest of days; the wind was blowing hard and gray clouds filled the skies. We were two of only 4 people on the entire beach. After awhile we noticed a large group made up of only a couple adults and 15 kids. They walked down the beach passing behind us. We cheersed our rum punches and thanked the Lord...
Caribbean Weekly Wrap Up2 Oct 2015 | 5:20 amShut out the stress of the world and dive into the stories in this week's Caribbean Wrap Up. You'll learn about the Havana Club rivalry, watch a video interview with Foxy Callwood of Jost Van Dyke, dream about a large island for sale in the Turks and Caicos and much more. I feel more relaxed just putting this story together. Just reading about the islands seems to have that affect. Enjoy! Caribbean Weekly Wrap Up Havana Club vs Havana Club – Looking for Authenticity: As we become closer and closer to a settlement of the Cuban Embargo, the problems between Pernod Ricard and Bacardi over the Havana Club brand name become seriously larger. There is a strong case on both sides for who is authentically...
Ti Punch With Rhum Clément: Boat Drink Recipes30 Sep 2015 | 5:20 amAfter one sip, you'll be talking with strangers on the coast of Martinique. In Martinique, a Ti'Punch (pronounced "tee paunch" or the more American way "tee punch) is more than just a cocktail, Ti'Punch is a part of Martinique's culture. Ti'Punch brings together friends, reconciles foes, and is a way to welcome strangers with open arms. That associated culture certainly was brought to life the last two times I enjoyed a Ti' Punch, in Key West and Nassau. Props to Castaway Carl on both accounts. Historically people have a Ti'Punch in the morning, better known as the famous "Décollage" (which means "Take off") to help tackle the coming day. The drink begins with the selection of...
Save It For A Rainy Day, Chesney Style28 Sep 2015 | 5:19 amBoats, Caribbean blue, float planes and a song about keeping your head up after love punches you in the stomach–something all us Castaways can probably relate to. I've been listening to Kenny Chesney's album, The Big Revival, on heavy rotation since it dropped and it's awesome to see each song released ride a wave all the way to number one on the charts. The latest to do so is the single, Save It For A Rainy Day. The song is a powerful message about getting over heartache and not letting it drag you down when there's life to live. That life for us Castaways and all the Chesney fans out there is all about enjoying a boat in the bay, too cold beer, and soaking in the cascade of blue, be it from the sky or...
Travel Junkie Julia
Travel to Suzhou China – The "Venice of the East"29 Sep 2015 | 9:23 amIf you're planning a trip to China, chances are you'll be hitting Beijing for the Great Wall, Shaghai for the futuristic architecture and Xi'an for a little panda and Terracotta warrior action, but an emmerging destination making a big play for US tourist attention is the city of Suzhou. Located about 60 miles west of Shanghai, the vibrant city of Suzhou (pronounced Sue-Joe) has a long and rich history dating back some 2500 years. I found myself in Suzhou because I was invited by the tourism board to be part of their blogger media program. Amazingly gracious and generous hosts, the tourism board of Suzhou gave me a chance to experience their city and take in some of the highlights, from Unesco World...
Canyoneering in Los Angeles – Urban Adventures in LA26 Aug 2015 | 9:21 amAdventure travel writer and solo female travel expert reports on canyoneering in Los Angeles for Outside Television network. Just 20 minutes outside of downtown LA you'll find Rubio Canyon where there are a series of waterfalls that cascade through the San Gabriel mountains. It's a great spot for an urban adventure.
Live Like a Local in LA: Exploring Abbot Kinney Ave in Venice20 Jul 2015 | 11:35 am� GQ Magazine called it the "coolest block in America." Abbot Kinney, a street in Venice lined with hip boutiques, Vegan restaurants and eco-conscious coffee shops lives up to its reputation. The street draws the artsy and the affluent. Locals mostly, but the in-the-know Canadian traveller will certainly want to make time for an afternoon stroll along this hip strip on their visit to LA As part of my blog series "Live Like a Local in LA" which highlights cool neighborhoods on the West Side of Los Angeles, I'd like to share some of my fave spots along Abbot Kinney. Stretching from the small street of Westminster to one of the city's main veins, Venice Blvd. Abbot Kinney is ripe with eye candy...
Live Like a Local in LA: Exploring Montana Ave. in Santa Monica17 Jul 2015 | 9:34 amAs the 1982, Missing Persons' song goes: "Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A." This catchy tune perpetrated the pervasive myth that Los Angeles is all about car culture and no self respecting person would dare….walk (gasp!) A city of urban sprawl and notorious traffic, navigating the City of Angeles sure is easier with your own car. That said, Canadian travellers fear not, there are many neighborhoods across the city that are very foot friendly. If you stay right in this neighborhood you may not need a rental so you'll save on that and the car insurance. Don't forget to protect yourself with travel insurance though – unless you're a local! One of my favorite places is on the West Side...
Live Like a Local in LA: Exploring Main St. in Santa Monica16 Jul 2015 | 10:30 amLos Angeles has long been a popular destination for Canadian travellers. This California cultural centre is a hub for all things glitz and glam. The sun, the surf, the sand, the celebrity…you can't beat it. That said, for the first time traveler, Los Angeles can be a tough city to crack. Many of the city's finest finds are spread out and hidden to the uninitiated. There are also so many neighborhoods in LA, it's hard to know where to start your visit. There are the hipster hangouts of Silverlake, the converted lofts turned artsy gastropubs of Downtown and the high-end shops of Beverly Hills 90210 fame., just to name a few. Here are a few of the best local hangouts to put on your radar for your...
Shermans Travel Blog
Checking In: A Punta Cana All-Inclusive for Travelers Who Like Flexibility9 Oct 2015 | 10:22 amBarcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe Though the area in and around Punta Cana is well-trodden by U.S. travelers, the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe is a 4-star all-inclusive resort that they may not have heard of. Located 12 miles from the Punta Cana airport, and catering to a loyal clientele of repeat visitors from South America, the resort recently underwent a $330 million facelift to keep things fresh. We checked in for some quality beach time and discovered a few pleasant surprises. Here's our report. What's Hot: The star attraction in the Bávaro area is the beach, considered one of the most beautiful in the Dominican Republic. But, as an all-inclusive resort, Barcelo Bavaro keeps you occupied...
5 Things About Houston's Food Scene That Might Surprise You8 Oct 2015 | 1:26 pmAnvil Bar & Refuge/Visit Houston Many people associate Houston with NASA, oil, and sprawl — but it also happens to have a serious food and cultural scene. The downtown area is developing into a hotspot for cocktails, noshing, and socializing; the museum district features world-renowned collections including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Menil Collection; and the zoo, theatre district, and music venues are brimming with both locals and visitors. Go to Houston for the sights, but stay for the cuisine. Here are five Houston restaurants and drinkeries that might surprise you… 1. The artsy Montrose neighborhood is home to one of the most celebrated and written about bars in the United States....
4 Thanksgiving Weekend Hotel Deals Under $200 Across the U.S.8 Oct 2015 | 8:44 amOrlando World Center Marriott According to this Orbitz report, the next couple of days will be some of the best for nabbing the lowest Thanksgiving airfare, whether you're heading home to see family or venturing out on a vacation. Here are four great Thanksgiving hotel deals that dip as low as $118 per night, and top out at $189. From $129: InterContinental Mark Hopkins (California) Many of the rooms at this glamorous outpost on Nob Hill in San Francisco afford views of the city and Bay Area. Plus, it offers complimentary weekday town car service so you don't have to worry about getting around. We were pleasantly surprised to see standard king rooms start from $129 per night on November 25 and 29. For...
5 Great Pumpkin Festivals for Getting in the Fall Spirit8 Oct 2015 | 6:15 amCinderella's Carriage/Dallas Aboretum Ready to see a 2,000-pound pumpkin? Or a cannon that shoots pumpkins hundreds of feet in the air? Here are five of our favorite pumpkin festivals happening this autumn… Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival (Clarence, New York) Clarence rolls out its red — or maybe orange — carpet each fall for the Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival. The event is akin to a county fair, and you can expect plenty of food stalls with kettle corn, turkey legs, and cotton candy. For the season's best flavors, The Pumpkin Palace Bakery serves up pumpkin pies, cookies, and other desserts. And don't miss the immersive "FSI: Farm Scene Investigation" experience, which includes a corn...
Forget "Moist" — These Are The Words That Travel Editors & Writers Hate7 Oct 2015 | 7:52 ampixabay.com In the same way that the word "moist" is pretty universally hated, there are some travel-specific words that are guaranteed to make most travel editors and writers cringe. We asked our staff and friends in publishing to share some phrases that we 100 percent admit are way annoying (and that, yes, we do all fall back on during desperate times): <ul> <li>"Nestled"! Especially at the beginning of a sentence. "Wanderlust" is an evil word — may it sink back into the earth. Also, the word "cerulean" to describe the color of water is the only word that I've ever officially banned on our Deals team. — Laura Motta, Director of Publishing at ShermansTravel</li> </ul> <ul> <li>I want to punch people when they put anything but...</li></ul>
Migrationology - Food Travel Blog
Osaka Food Guide: 11 Must Eat Foods (and Where To Try Them)29 Sep 2015 | 5:00 amThroughout Japan people love to eat. But even in the food loving country of Japan, Osaka is still known as... The post Osaka Food Guide: 11 Must Eat Foods (and Where To Try Them) appeared first on Migrationology - Food Travel Blog.
Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles: Don't Miss This Goopy Snack26 Sep 2015 | 6:55 amOne of the best signs of good food when you travel is a big crowd. And preferably a big crowd... The post Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles: Don't Miss This Goopy Snack appeared first on Migrationology - Food Travel Blog.
Day Trip to Beitou Hot Springs (and an Unexpected Taiwanese Feast)20 Sep 2015 | 6:00 pmOne of the most relaxing things to do anywhere, is sit in a natural hot spring. Located within Taipei City... The post Day Trip to Beitou Hot Springs (and an Unexpected Taiwanese Feast) appeared first on Migrationology - Food Travel Blog.
Spiral Buffet at Sofitel Manila: Is This Asia's Grandest Buffet?12 Sep 2015 | 5:30 amJust about every hotel has a buffet. But the Spiral Buffet at Sofitel in Manila, is a buffet that takes... The post Spiral Buffet at Sofitel Manila: Is This Asia's Grandest Buffet? appeared first on Migrationology - Food Travel Blog.
Restaurant Tapenade: Top-Notch Mediterranean Food in Manila9 Sep 2015 | 5:30 amLocated at Discovery Primea hotel, Tapenade is a restaurant in the Makati area of Manila that serves delicious Mediterranean food. The post Restaurant Tapenade: Top-Notch Mediterranean Food in Manila appeared first on Migrationology - Food Travel Blog.
i heart japan - Japan travel tips and info about Japan
Travel Tip – Don't Freak Out at the Airport24 Sep 2015 | 4:47 pmPlease sit back while I tell you a tale of how you should never be like me at the airport. It is a tale of woe and heartbreak, a tale of curses mumbled under the breath and of total meltdowns in arrival terminals. It is my constant companion whenever I arrive at the airport – my own personal freak out. Clearly Osaka Airport Hates Me I've been to Osaka (Kansai) Airport three times now and every time it's a complete gong show for me. No matter how much I prepare, it seems I can never get it right. The first time I arrived I spent my entire week's spending budget on the taxi ride to our hotel because I couldn't find the train station. This time things didn't go much better. Since this was our third run...
Today we Fly!16 Sep 2015 | 12:36 pmPhoto Credit: cronus Well we're just about to depart for another Japan adventure. I'm excited to see what's changed since we were there 4 years ago. And I'm especially excited to sink my teeth into some sweet tonkatsu and a heaping bowl of ramen :D I'll keep you updated as best I can! Related Posts:<ul><li>Facetime While Eating Ramen</li><li>Book Review: My Japanese Table</li><li>Here's how you Make Curry Rice</li><li>Tokyo's Design Festa Gallery</li><li>Otsuskaya – Fabric Store Review</li></ul>
Japan's Independent Children7 Sep 2015 | 2:42 pmInteresting and short little documentary on the responsibilities that Japanese children face when getting to and from school. Also, I've watched the "My first errand" show before, so now I'm happy to know what it actually was. For the whole time I was wondering what these little kids were doing. I thought they had run away from home with a camera man :) Related Posts:<ul><li>Quick Anime Review: Figure 17</li><li>The Amazing Voyage of Otokichi</li><li>What Japanese Say About Our Customer Service</li><li>Recommend Your Favourite Anime</li><li>Happy Pudding Time!</li></ul>
This Makes A lot of Sense20 Aug 2015 | 2:47 pmMore animated Japanese art can be found here. Related Posts:<ul><li>100 Japanese Maids : 1Pancake</li><li>The Days of Hanako</li><li>Otsuskaya – Fabric Store Review</li><li>Kawaii Fabric</li><li>Japan Law to Force Workers to go on Holiday</li></ul>
Suntory Sending Whisky into Space1 Aug 2015 | 11:13 amPhoto by: ssoosay It's seems like a long way to go just for the "development of mellowness", but Suntory is going to be sending some of their whiskey to the International Space station. They hope that the microgravity environment will aid in the mellowing. While I think it be great to try a dram of the stuff when it gets back in several years, I have a feeling it would cost a bit more than my current whisky budget allows :D Here is the full news release. Related Posts:<ul><li>The Days of Hanako</li><li>Japan Population Drop</li><li>Tokyo's Design Festa Gallery</li><li>Robotic Comedy Duo</li><li>Osaka Gets New Glico Man Sign</li></ul>
My Melange
Puglia Travel : What to do in Lecce Italy29 Sep 2015 | 5:00 amDuring my trip to Puglia I visited Lecce, a beautiful small city located almost at the very tip of the 'heel of the boot' in Southern Italy. It's often called the Florence of the South, due to its abundant Baroque architecture. Perhaps that's why the city really resonated with me, since I do love Florence. I actually enjoyed Lecce, but didn't have nearly enough time there. I would highly recommend a visit. Here are some of the things to do and see in Lecce. Piazza Sant'Oronzo The hub of Lecce's life has to be centered around the oddly shaped main square – the Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Here you'll find cafes, shops and restaurants of course, which are perfect for just taking a break and for people...
Italy Travel : Six Essential Tips For Making the Most of Your Trip1 Sep 2015 | 7:10 amYear after year, Italy continues to be a top vacation destination for travelers. That's no surprise to me, someone who's been enamored since my first trip, continually returns and sings its praises to prospective clients. What's not to love? Italy is steeped in rich history, grand architecture, food and wine, culture, lifestyle, picture-perfect landscapes and gregarious people. All combined, it's enough to make the most unfeeling traveler fall in love. And fall hard. But for those who haven't been, the thought of visiting a foreign country can be daunting and overwhelming. Here are some essential tips that will help you relax and enjoy your first trip. 1. Adopt the Right Attitude Italy's lifestyle and...
How to Pack Light for a Two Week, Two Climate Trip8 Aug 2015 | 6:00 amOn my most recent trip to France, I knew packing light would be a bit of a challenge. I would be in Paris, which can be finicky in terms of the weather – especially with wind, rain and temperature fluctuations. And then I'd be off to the South of France, which would be much warmer and sunny. The Languedoc boasts 350 days of sunshine a year, but I would be on a barge on the canal, so it might be very hot during the day and then cool down at night. And there was a dress code on the barge – you were expected to dress up a bit for dinner. No ball gowns, but no track suits either. The secret? Layers, people. Layers. Layers are your friend. I can happily and wholeheartedly shout from those Paris rooftops that I...
8 Reasons to Take a Canal du Midi Barge Cruise in France9 Jul 2015 | 5:00 amI just returned from a once in a lifetime experience that had been on my France bucket list for quite sometime – a French barge Cruise on the Canal du Midi aboard the Athos. Athos moored along the Canal di Midi Located in the Languedoc region of France, the Canal du Midi is a 300 year old very unique stretch of water and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canal itself is about 150 miles long and runs from Toulouse to Sète and tops out in the Mediterranean. It was originally designed for trade to transport goods like wheat, textiles and wine by barge, before the invention of railroads. But in the early 1990′s, some of the boats were renovated into luxury vacation barges and a new tourism sector was born. If...
Paris Travel : How to Get From CDG Airport to City Center23 Jun 2015 | 5:00 amThere are many ways to get from Paris's main airport, Charles de Gaulle, to central Paris. �Depending on budget, travel style, time of day and where you're staying, one is likely to work better than another. �Here is an overview of the choices you have. Taxi Parisien The standard, good old-fashioned taxi, is still my favorite, most direct, and reliable way of getting from Charles de Gaulle to the center of Paris. �You'll see signs directing you to the taxi stands at every terminal. It's always best to make sure you get in line at the taxi stand and only take a licensed�Taxi Parisien. �Ignore any annoying hawkers inside the airport trying to offer you a ride. Head right to the stand, queue and wait your...
Europe Up Close
Uzes: a Treasure in France's Languedoc Roussillon9 Oct 2015 | 8:45 amIf you've never been to the Languedoc Roussillon region of France, you are missing a whole lot, including an opportunity to visit the beautiful town of Uzes. As a matter of fact, I recommend that you spend an entire week in Uzes and use it as a hub from which to explore the region. Why […] The post Uzes: a Treasure in France's Languedoc Roussillon appeared first on Europe Up Close.
A Walking Tour of Leuven, Belgium5 Oct 2015 | 7:50 amLeuven, a lesser known city in Belgium, is located a short train or car ride to the northeast of Brussels. However, it's not that Leuven attracts fewer visitors than other Belgian cities such as Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent because it doesn't have anything to offer— it is rather the contrary! The city of Leuven is a vibrant centuries-old university city. Leuven is home […] The post A Walking Tour of Leuven, Belgium appeared first on Europe Up Close.
The Best Third Wave Coffee Shops in Berlin2 Oct 2015 | 8:18 amWhether you're an embracer of change or a stickler for the straight and true, third wave coffee culture has all but taken over much of the western world in recent years. While the old guard in Europe has been slow to accept the modern approach – ever-faithful to Mediterranean habits over single origin roasts and […] The post The Best Third Wave Coffee Shops in Berlin appeared first on Europe Up Close.
The Holy Isle of Iona: A Historical Pilgrimage28 Sep 2015 | 7:30 amLike the first monks and today's travelers, I first glimpse the holy Isle of Iona in the Scottish Hebrides from the sea. This birthplace of Celtic Christianity has attracted the faithful for nearly 1500 years and I wonder how Iona has drawn so many pilgrims and tourists to such a remote spot. Its enormous appeal […] The post The Holy Isle of Iona: A Historical Pilgrimage appeared first on Europe Up Close.
Losing it in a Luxurious Slovenian Spa25 Sep 2015 | 9:11 amThis year, I spent three weeks at a Slovenia Spa. Every day, I was confronted with difficult decisions. Should the oil for my massage be grape seed (antioxidant effect), almond (softens the skin), or herb-infused oil (detox benefits)? Did I prefer classic, Hawaiian, Tibetan, Indian, or Thai style? What was my preference for duration: the […] The post Losing it in a Luxurious Slovenian Spa appeared first on Europe Up Close.
eNidhi India
ಸ೦ಸದರ ಸ೦ಬಳದ ವಿಷಯ...9 Oct 2015 | 4:20 pmಸ೦ಸದರ ಸ೦ಬಳದ ವಿಷಯ... (A kannada article about salary of our MPs) ಈ ವಾರ ಸ೦ಸದ ಪ್ರತಾಪ ಸಿ೦ಹ ಲೋಕಸಭಾ ಸದಸ್ಯರ ಸ೦ಬಳದ ವಿಷಯ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದು ಬಹಳ ಚರ್ಚೆಗೆ ಗ್ರಾಸವಾಯಿತು. ಸ೦ಸದರಿಗೆ ಈಗ ಸಿಗುವ ೫೦೦೦೦ ಸಾವಿರ ಸ೦ಬಳ ಹಾಗು ಮತ್ತಿತರ ಸವಲತ್ತುಗಳು ಯಾತಕ್ಕೂ ಸಾಕಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ, ಮಗಳ ಓದಿಗೆ ತಿ೦ಗಳಿಗೆ ೯೦೦೦೦ ಸಾವಿರ ಬೇಕು, ಕಚೇರಿ ನಡೆಸಲು ಬ೦ದವರಿಗೆ ಚಾ ಕಾಫ಼ಿ...
City of Bern, Switzerland explored in 90 minutes9 Oct 2015 | 12:45 pmHow much of a city can you see in 90 minutes? If you have 90 minutes to spare would you step out to check out the city or prefer to relax in a cozy place? On my day 2 in Switzerland, I planned to stop over at Bern and spend a few hours exploring the city. It had a house where Einstein had stayed and few other attractions. However, as I first decided to go to Niesen peak near Spiez, I had very
Skywatch Friday-Sunrise at Geneva lake, Switzerland8 Oct 2015 | 2:19 pmAfter walking around the United Nations building, I walked towards the Geneva lake. The vast water-body was very inviting with daylight breaking in a corner. Clicked plenty of pictures, some of them below for this week's skywatch Friday. Zero post processing is done. View my other skywatch pics under the Skywatch tag. Even more skywatch pics from around the world here http://
United Nations, Geneva at 5AM8 Oct 2015 | 8:32 amWhen I went to Geneva, Switzerland, I had to make some ad hoc changes to my plan. I landed at about 11 PM. My plan was to take a 5.46 AM train to Bern (and then to Interlaken). So I didn't want to spend on a hotel for few hours. I decided to take a walk in the town at 11PM. I walked towards the Geneva lake. But the ambiance was not very encouraging. The streets were full of people both black
Kamppi Chapel, Helsinki, Finland8 Oct 2015 | 7:50 amKamppi Chapel, Helsinki is the first place I visited in Helsinki, Finland. It is popular because of its fancy shape. Kamppi is one of the smallest chapels I have seen. Bright orange exteriors are enough to generate curiosity about the building. Kampin Chapel opens at 10 AM to public. I went inside as soon as it opened, we could take photos but no flash. Inside is a small area for devotees to
Solo Traveler
Travel Apps that Save Money and Make Travel Easier9 Oct 2015 | 5:30 amI like to keep travel simple and the experience rich. Here are my go-to travel apps that save money and make travel easier. The post Travel Apps that Save Money and Make Travel Easier appeared first on Solo Traveler. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler
Solo Travel Destination: Ukulhas, Maldives8 Oct 2015 | 10:56 amThis Solo Travel Society member recommends visiting Ukulhas, a locally inhabited island, for a taste of "the real Maldives." The post Solo Travel Destination: Ukulhas, Maldives appeared first on Solo Traveler. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler
Falling in Love with Italy: Lombardy7 Oct 2015 | 8:45 amOh, Italy. Finally fulfilling a solo travel dream to visit Italy, I begin sharing some of my favorite photos from Milan and the Lombardy Region. Sigh. The post Falling in Love with Italy: Lombardy appeared first on Solo Traveler. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler
Pic of the Week: Kayaking in Antarctica6 Oct 2015 | 5:30 amWell, this puts things into perspective, doesn't it? This photo was submitted by a Solo Travel Society member from her trip to Antarctica. The post Pic of the Week: Kayaking in Antarctica appeared first on Solo Traveler. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler
Solo Travel as Art: Images of Hong Kong5 Oct 2015 | 12:46 pmSolo Traveler Artist in Residence, Marie Pottiez shares her thoughts and feelings in this beautiful series of images of Hong Kong. The post Solo Travel as Art: Images of Hong Kong appeared first on Solo Traveler. A new article has been added to Solo Traveler
Exploring Modern Ireland in Dublin7 Oct 2015 | 5:08 pmBackpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | Exploring Modern Ireland in Dublin Photo from Flickr by Daniel R Thompson Discover Dublin's most exciting modern sights While Ireland's definitely best known for its traditions, natural views and history, the country is also one of the most modern areas in the entire world, leading the field in IT and technology as the European home for companies like Microsoft and Apple. We visited Dublin a while back, and were amazed by how different the place is from the image most people have. We stayed in the Travelodge Stephen's Green Hotel, right in the centre of Dublin, giving us the perfect way to get around Dublin's best sites. Always on the edge of...
5 Things You Must Do When In Cape Town, South Africa5 Oct 2015 | 11:45 pmBackpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | 5 Things You Must Do When In Cape Town, South Africa Photo from Flickr by mattharvey1 Cape Town is South Africa has it all. From breathtaking scenery and amazing beaches to superb gastronomy and bussing nightlife, you will find various things to do and enjoy. No matter what you are looking for, you will definitely find it in the Mother City. Here are five top picks you should try out when in Cape Town. Go Up Table Mountain This place is officially one of the new seven wonders of nature. We highly recommend that you catch a cable car up Table Mountain and then repel back down. If you are an adventurer, you can go down via the 112 meter rope. Those that are...
Earn Enormously from Online Games1 Oct 2015 | 11:14 pmBackpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | Earn Enormously from Online Games Photo from Flickr by Thomas Hawk Those who like to enjoy unending excitement, entertainment and 'wallet full' earning scope; for them, there's no second alternative of casino games. Unlike the traditional land based casino counters, for today's generation, there're tons of striking online casino play options ready to help you enjoy the essence of gaming and gambling at the comforts of your home, or hostel. Aside from the seasoned casino lovers, the emergence of these innovative series of online playoffs having potential to let players earn enormously is magnetizing millions of youngsters to spin their lucks worldwide....
Traveling the World like a Billionaire23 Sep 2015 | 4:55 pmBackpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | Traveling the World like a Billionaire � What does this even mean? Traveling the world like a billionaire… Well, if hopping on and off exclusive cruise ships and flying first class only, or even better, buying a luxury yacht or a private jet for yourself is on your bucket list, then you certainly know what we are talking about. For sure, a sudden $1 billion windfall would make life less ordinary for anyone. I know it would do the trick for me. What would your options? I am sure you have your own preferences, but just in case you are at a loss of fuel for your dreams, us-powerball.com came up with an infographic. Things like dining underwater, flying in a...
Unusual Things To Do In Berlin19 Aug 2015 | 9:33 pmBackpacking around the world HappytimeBlog | Unusual Things To Do In Berlin Berlin is, without a doubt, one of the coolest places in the world that a person can visit. When you do not want to be stuck doing the same old activities during your next trip to the German capital refer to this helpful guide for tips and pointers. Be sure to use coupons, for example Target coupon codes, while you prepare for the trip. It will save you lots of money and allow to spend more while staying in Berlin. � Unsicht-Bar This is not just a restaurant, this is a dining experience. At this restaurant, you are given instructions on how to find your meal and you are then given an opportunity to eat in the dark. The dining...
501 Places
Wither the blog…8 Oct 2015 | 7:21 amIt's almost 4 months since I last wrote on this site, so I figured I should do an update of some sort. Back in the day I might have added 100 posts since my last entry. Despite my best intentions at the start of the year, other things have got in the way and I've had little time, and even less reason, to come up with ideas to share on here. The fact that I haven't been posting is mainly good news. I've taken on a regular job as an editor which, while not full time, is taking up the bulk of my week and leaving me with little appetite to write more in my spare time. Meanwhile, we moved house in the summer and it turns out I have an almost endless stream of distractions from my window. Here are some of...
Across the divide – a visit to the former inner German border18 Jun 2015 | 9:23 amFollow the bend in the road, then walk for around 100 metres. If I hadn't seen the satellite photo a few minutes earlier I'd have had no idea where to look. Beyond the roadside ditch wild flowers were swallowed up by the long grass, and only an occasional car broke the calm of an afternoon stroll in the German countryside. If I'd been here 26 years ago I'd have had no trouble finding what I was looking for. I was in the north east of Germany, just outside the tiny village of Schlutup on the outskirts of Lübeck. It was just to the east of the village that the final, deadly layers of the inner German border passed as they wound their way south, dividing the country for 45 years before being joyfully...
Comfortable hotels – why are they so rare?3 Jun 2015 | 4:58 am"Your home away from home" is how many hotels like to market themselves. It's an easy slogan to use, but for many hotel owners I am fairly sure that if they had to live in the properties which earn them a living, they wouldn't put up with many of the irritations to which they are happy to subject their paying guests. So what are the most basic things a hotel should include to make a guest feel comfortable? Of course there's a complication here, in that every person has different requirements and different opinions on what is most important for them in a hotel room. So my wish list is just about my own preferences. But I think the points that annoy me probably annoy most people who stay in hotels (I...
A tale of car rental woe with a happy ending27 May 2015 | 4:27 amThis was not our rental car. Obviously. I loathe every aspect of renting a car abroad. Even the process of booking a car for our recent Sicily trip took far too long; every time I was about to book a car I made the mistake of checking a review site and ended up getting distracted by a stream of one-star ratings from angry customers. In the end I was hooked in by a price of £65 for 8 days rental, and booked a car with Sicily by Car through Holiday Autos, who appeared to have a slightly more favourable (or less terrible) review profile than their competitors. With such an attractive price I shouldn't have been surprised by the queue at the Sicily by Car desk in Catania airport. Still, 40 minutes...
Seeing Stonehenge beyond a pile of rocks23 Apr 2015 | 7:07 am'It's just a pile of rocks'. Take a look through the comments on Tripadvisor (or any review site) and you'll find many visitors who were spellbound by the ancient stones at Stonehenge, and plenty of others for whom it was an overpriced and underwhelming attraction. Just how do different people experience the same place in such a different way, and what factors determine the effect that a place such as Stonehenge has on its visitors? It had been almost 10 years since I'd last driven along the A303 and passed the famous stone circle. I must admit that it did seem a lot smaller than I remembered it to be as we got our first glimpse this time, slowing down with the other traffic on our way past. The...
Fresh Stories from Oyster.com
Last-Chance Getaways: 5 Seasonal Day Trips From NYC That You Need to Take Now9 Oct 2015 | 10:01 amFall foliage in the Catskills (Photo by Katherine Alex Beaven) Is it just us or do the seasons seem to have more and more abrupt endings? This year in New York City, summer bowed out almost faster than you could say June 21st, making us think that we better take advantage of this blissful autumn weather before winter rears its icy head. Word on the street is it's going to be a rough one -- again. So, here are a few easy day trips from NYC allowing us to celebrate the gorgeous crisp air and vivid colors of fall while we still can! But seriously, hurry; these seasonal activities are all coming to a close by the end of October or November, and you'll have to wait a whole year before you can...
Do You Believe in Black Magic? 5 Superstitions from around the World9 Oct 2015 | 8:01 amHalloween's approach has us all worked up; we're easily spooked these days, whether it be the result of an unexpected tap on the shoulder or an accidental crossing of paths with a black cat. A real belief in superstitions such as these can be particularly hard on us globetrotters; as we encounter various cultures around the world, we discover even more superstitions, and keeping track of them all -- and doing everything we can to avoid bad luck and conjure up good -- can be downright exhausting. Well, we're passing the buck -- misery loves company, right?! Here we're sharing five crazy superstitions you probably don't know about from around the world. But it's not all bad news: Some of them simply bring...
12 Super Remote Hotels for a Secluded Vacation Oasis9 Oct 2015 | 5:04 amOur fast-paced lives and increasingly hyper-connected world may be fun and exciting, but it can also be exhausting. When we think of a real vacation, we picture escaping the bustling cities and swapping car alarms for crickets. While backpacking up a mountain could do the trick, we're more inclined to pick a hotel that offers the same secluded setting, but with all the amenities of a resort. So if you're looking for a peaceful getaway, we've found 12 amazing hotels that are super remote. They may take a little bit of work to get to, but their serene and relaxing environments make them well worth the journey. Point Grace, Turks and Caicos ...
The 6 Most Haunted Towns in the U.S. for a Spooky Visit This Halloween8 Oct 2015 | 7:01 amIt's that time of the year again! Time for ghosts and ghouls, witches and zombies, bobbing for apples and seasonal coffee beverages -- in seasonal cups! Thanks, Starbucks. That's right, we're already just around the corner from Halloween. Every town or city has it's own way of celebrating the spooky night, from family-friendly parades to adults-only, booze-filled parties. Whichever mode of celebration you prefer, if you ever get the chance to visit one of these six cities for the ghostly holiday, don't pass it up. You're sure to have a haunting experience... Sleepy Hollow, New York Photo by Sarah C. Wilson, Flickr Now, we've all heard of Sleepy Hollow, New...
Bond Hotels: Where 007 Has Left His Mark7 Oct 2015 | 9:30 amSpectre comes out in less than a month,�and to celebrate we've taken a walk down double-oh seven lane. During our wandering, we've discovered that -- just like us -- Bond has a thing for traveling, and particularly, staying at ultra-luxe hotels. Whether it's where the character was born or where the infamous "shaken, not stirred" line originated, the debonair crime fighter has left his mark on some of our favorite spots around the globe. Bond-Approved Hotel #1: GoldenEye Hotel & Resort, Jamaica Today, the massive Fleming Villa remains intact, featuring its own private pool and even the writer's original desk over which he slaved year after year. Why 007...
Wicked Good Travel Tips
Guide to Modern San Antonio Where History Thrives9 Oct 2015 | 6:11 amUsing Johnny Cash, or Hank Snow before him, as a measuring stick, I've officially been 29.7 percent of everywhere. Of the 91 places mentioned in the American version of "I've Been Everywhere" I've been to 27, one of which I was born in. A current place of fascination for me is not mentioned in the song, which is curious considering an abundance of Texas towns mentioned. San Antonio is somewhat of a hidden gem. For the past 25 years, it has ranked in the top 10 of fastest growing U.S. cities. Not surprising, the former capital of Texas, is now its second most populous city. It has also been noted as the number one city to visit on a budget.
The Ultimate Guide To Bali's Hottest Destination, Canggu7 Oct 2015 | 6:03 amCanggu is fast becoming the hottest destination in Bali. This once sleepy coastal district – where swathes of unbelievably green paddy fields sweep down to meet beaches of black volcanic sand and the swell of the Indian Ocean – has seen seismic change in recent years. The rice fields are still there, and still just as beautiful, but they are now punctuated with hot bars, cool cafés, classy restaurants, transcendent yoga barns and a liberal sprinkling of gorgeous private villas.
Delray Sands Resort – A Chic Beachfront Retreat Worth Traveling For!5 Oct 2015 | 7:43 amIf you covet the vibrant flare of Miami Beach, but crave miles of uncrowded beachfront and tony accommodation, then you need to drop everything and plan a getaway to the Delray Sands Resort in trendy Delray Beach, Florida. This resort delivers the stylish appeal of Miami Beach at a fraction of the South Beach price tag. And Delray Beach delivers the cafe-society lifestyle savvy vacationers prize. Make no mistake, this is NOT your Grandpa's Florida.
Essential Tips For Driving Safely in New York City1 Oct 2015 | 5:33 amDo You Dare Drive in NYC? Here Are Top Tips for Driving Safely in Busy New York City. The Big Apple, New York, is a fantastic city full of rich sights, wonderful people and a network of busy roads. While we could talk for days about why New York is awesome or why you should visit New York City on your next trip to America, we thought it'd be far more useful to offer you our top tips for driving in the New York City. In a city full of taxis and bustling roads, it's far easier to take public transport or even walk, but there are several reasons people choose to drive here.
Where To Eat Like a Local in Miami Beach30 Sep 2015 | 5:00 amEating Like a Local in Miami Beach When going on vacation, you go to experience new sights, to enjoy a different culture, and to relax in an environment that's completely different than the one you see on a day-to-day basis. So, why would you waste your vacation by eating at the same old chain restaurants that are within a few of miles of your home? Fortunately, if you want to avoid the Cheesecake Factories and the McDonalds of the world, Miami Beach is the perfect place to go!
The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-27-201527 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amSin is only a symptom of a life out of balance. (W. Ferguson) — Crime would disappear if all our needs were met. (Ramona) #quote The post The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-27-2015 appeared first on RamonaCreel.com.
The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-26-201526 Sep 2015 | 4:00 amI don't want to only live the length of my life. I want to have lived the width as well. (D. Ackerman) — And full depth! (Ramona) #quote The post The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-26-2015 appeared first on RamonaCreel.com.
The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-25-201525 Sep 2015 | 11:00 amImagination is more important than knowledge. (A. Einstein) — What might be always trumps what is. (Ramona) #quote The post The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-25-2015 appeared first on RamonaCreel.com.
The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-24-201524 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amMen never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. (B. Pascal) — Any conviction! (Ramona) #quote The post The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-24-2015 appeared first on RamonaCreel.com.
The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-23-201523 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amIf you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. (C. Parker) — Music of the heart is the only kind worth listening to. (Ramona) #quote The post The Last Word — Ramona's Quote Of The Day For 9-23-2015 appeared first on RamonaCreel.com.
Beers and Beans
Come Experience Fall in Breckenridge on Pin-Up Live! This Wednesday (9/30)29 Sep 2015 | 9:34 amIt is that time a year again–it's leaf peeping season. With the unseasonably warm fall we've been having in Massachusetts (trust me, I'm not complaining), the leaves have been slower turn this year. But in Colorado, the colors of fall are on full display, and there is no better place to go leaf peeping than Breckenridge. Just 90 minutes west of Denver, Breckenridge's higher elevation causes its leaves to change earlier than other places around the country. Not to mention, the historic town has a ton of fun stuff to do before, during, and after a leaf peeping session. We're excited to welcome the good folks of Breckenridge, Colorado to our Pin-Up Live! chat this week along with AFAR magazine. The...
5 Rockin' Songs To Fuel Your Summer Road Trip23 Aug 2015 | 5:38 amClark Griswold did it. Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters did it too. So did Hunter Thomson, Kermit the Frog, and tens of millions of Americans in 2014. And, I'm doing it right now. What the heck am I talking about? The great American road trip, of course. Yesterday, I got in my rented Toyota Corolla and head south to Virginia via the Pennsylvania Turnpike with my grandparents and mom. Sadly, Beth and Chachy couldn't join us as she's back home in Boston waiting for the arrival of her nephew; however, they'll be with us in spirit, as they are truly the best road trip companions a guy could ask for. Like apple pie and rock n' roll, road trips are part of the American...
6 Things That Made Our Hearts Pound on our Caribbean Cruise23 Jul 2015 | 6:29 am"There he goes again," I thought to myself between heavy breaths. He was a 50-something runner who had the pace of a jaguar. He ran in thigh-high running shorts—you know, the marathon type—a bare chest that dripped salty sea-air sweat, and a pair of nondescript running shoes. He lapped me and everyone else on the cruise ship's outdoor jogging track that morning. I don't think he noticed us at all, except when he had to juke and jolt between walkers. He's a runner, that's his trip, and he was simply doing his thing. I'm a runner too, but I'm nothing like him. I don't do it because I love the sport. I don't have any real aspirations to run a marathon or travel to Africa to run with...
How We Work Together To Plan Our Travels1 Jul 2015 | 3:12 amRelationships are a funny thing. You start out as two independent souls—each with your own way of doing things. Then over time you become a team, a perfect one-two punch, if you will, that when united is a stronger force than anything you could've imagined when you were single. Like a lot of guys, I resisted this notion at first: I don't want to be BRANDY (Beth + Randy, get it?), I'm Randy dammit. Things changed for me, though, when we started traveling together. First, Beth introduced me to the gorgeous frontier beyond Tijuana in Baja, Mexico, then Guatemala and Oaxaca, and finally the world. We were together 24/7. We faced unpredictable circumstances. And along the way we fell more in love....
Save Big On Our Speakeasy Hidden Pocket Infinity Scarves #FundonEtsy26 Jun 2015 | 8:23 amYou've heard about them. You've seen them. Now is your chance to save $18 on your own Speakeasy travel scarf! A couple months ago Etsy asked us to be part of a new crowdfunding pilot program: Fund On Etsy. It's an understatement to say we're excited about so to launch our Fund On Etsy campaign so we've decided to give a HUGE discount on our most popular scarves as part of the program. To fund our new studio space, we are offering a discount on our most popular scarves AND free shipping! If you've been eyeing one of our hidden pocket travel scarves now is definitely the time to snag one. We've marked them down $12 ($43 instead of $55) and we're giving away free 2/3 priority shipping as well (another $6...
Heather on her travels blog
Hiking in Austria – a Rifleman's Parade and Mental Power Walk at Seefeld8 Oct 2015 | 2:52 pmIt is now an established tradition for my friend Julia and I to spend a few days hiking together each September. This year our walking holiday took us to the Leutasch valley of Austria with Headwater Holidays. On our first day we hiked up the picturesque Gaistal Valley where I fell over and twisted my ankle, so to take it easy on our second day we took the cable car up to the top of the mountain, for the fabulous views from Seefelder Spitze. Now Julia takes up the story of our third day when we joined a local festival in Seefeld, then spent an enjoyable afternoon walking on the forest trails of the Seefeld plateau. Julia writes; Today was the day for watching the traditional Rifleman's gathering...
Win a luxury ski holiday in Val d'Isere with Le Chardon chalets5 Oct 2015 | 12:30 pmMy first introduction to ski-ing was in my twenties when I spent a season as an au-pair in the French Alps. I remember being taken up the mountain as a complete novice only to tumble my way down the slopes through fresh powder on what felt like a black run but was probably only blue. Since then we've had quite a few happy family ski holidays and my kids have grown up as keen skiers and snowboarders, while I've been happy to potter down the easier runs, stopping now and then for a chocolat chaud. I think the luxurious Le Chardon Ski Chalets in Val d'Isere would suit me down to the ground, providing a comfortable and stylish bolthole to retreat to, leaving the rest of the family to get on with the...
How to make New Nordic Cocktails in Copenhagen – video2 Oct 2015 | 1:13 amNew Nordic is a bit of a buzzword in Copenhagen, a style of cuisine that's all about looking at what's in your back garden and presenting it in new ways. It might mean taking the best from the forest and the sea and adding a twist of the unexpected. Or using the ingredients your granny served up to you during your childhood and combining them in an unusual way. It's fresh, it's local and it's very Danish. But what about New Nordic Cocktails? Heather and Sophie Anne enjoy a cocktail at Kurhotel Skodsborg While I was staying at the delightful Kurhotel Skodsborg just outside Copenhagen, I had the pleasure of tasting a few New Nordic cocktails that had been created by leading Copenhagen bartender, Gromit...
Jersey Weekend Break Ideas + win an Escape to Jersey27 Sep 2015 | 2:02 pmThis weekend I've been planning my Escape to Jersey. It'll be springtime break that includes all the ingredients for my perfect weekend getaway; walking along cliff paths by the sea and plenty of delicious local food (well after all that walking I'll deserve it!). There's be a stroll around some historic houses and gardens and of course a lovely hotel to return to at the end of our days of exploring. This Escape to Jersey is all in my imagination at the moment but it was inspired by the video that I created at the EscapetoJersey.com website, putting in my preferences to create my own individual getaway – you can try it here too. If you'd like to create your own escape you can also win a 2 night break for...
A gourmet walking tour of Luxembourg old town22 Sep 2015 | 3:08 pmOur weekend break in Luxembourg was full of surprises; a city that's unexpectedly small and walkable, packed with history and culture. And then there was the food! This tiny Europan capital combines the elegance of France, the gourmet delights of Belgium and the efficiency of Germany into one easy going package. As we walked around the old town, I was struck by the number of tempting places to stop for a taste of this or a glass of that, so I've decided to take you on a gastronomic walking tour. History and culture are always more fun with a bite to eat or a cup of hot chocolate thrown in! Heather and Guy in Luxembourg City Place d'Armes at the heart of the city Let's start in Place d'Armes in the centre...
Visiting Upstate New York with Kids9 Oct 2015 | 9:24 amPhoto by: Shutterstock/littleny New York City gets so much attention from people around the globe and rightfully so. However there are other parts of New York that provide gorgeous rural scenery and multitudes of outdoor activities just right for family fun. From farm stays, hiking, skiing, lakes, and rafting to great restaurants, quaint towns, and historic villages the areas surrounding the mountains of the Adirondacks and the Catskills provide everything a family needs for either a short jaunt away or a longer stay. Each area provides a charm all of its own. With farmlands, fishing holes, and rambling hills, nature is around every corner. The Catskills are closer to the city with remnants of the past,...
Road School: Learning about Dinosaurs while Traveling and at Home7 Oct 2015 | 9:32 amPhoto by: Shutterstock/Dziurek Roar! From the time children are toddlers they make animal noises, and the "Roar!" of the dinosaur is many times one of the first (and loudest). There's no denying it: dinosaurs fascinate kids. It's no wonder why we have thirteen The Land before Time movies and eagerly await Disney and Pixar's The Good Dinosaur; kids think dinosaurs are awesome. Whether it's the size of the creatures, the thought of a time without humans, or the vast differences between what our world looks like now versus what it looked like back when, most families will find themselves with a child entranced with fossils, dinosaur play, or stories about life in the prehistoric era at some point...
Road School: Exploring Children's Literature and Writing6 Oct 2015 | 9:56 amPhoto by: Shutterstock/dreamerve Many of my childhood memories include a book. Whether it was the boredom of a long holiday road trip saved by The Babysitter's Club (for the record, Super Special #2 was my favorite) or the lying on the beach trying to grasp the world in Cynthia Voight's Dicey's Song, literature played a role in every weekend and most certainly every vacation. It's no wonder then that as a parent, literature continues to play an important role in my family. Whether a book sparks interest in history, an iconic spot, nature, culture, or writing itself, children's literature is a powerful way to open our kids' eyes to something new. Why: Literature is Magical The brilliance of the...
Road School: Teaching Kids about Climate Change by Visiting Glaciers5 Oct 2015 | 4:39 pmImage by: Shutterstock/Ksenia Ragozina Educating your children about global warming and climate change is a daunting task: families covered in snow during the winter months will be hard pressed to teach their kids that the earth's temperature is warming while adding layer upon layer of snow caps, mittens, and boots to keep warm. No matter where you live, the gradual, slow change of climate can be hard to grasp for both children and adults. When one day's temperature varies so little from the next, it might appear to the casual observer that nothing is changing, and that we can make little difference even if there was a problem at hand. To help kids (and adults!) learn about our changing climate in a...
Educational Travel Week- Weekly Digest – 10/1/154 Oct 2015 | 7:17 pm� To start receiving Weekly Family Fun Digest emails. Click here. Destinations Tips Talk Book Hotels Buy Gear Blog Giveaways Educational Travel Week Thursday October 1, 2015 Travel can be a great way to tap into a child's natural creativity to stimulate great learning! We've got great inspiration for you as this week we are highlighting Educational Travel.� � New Road School Guides Road School: Teaching Kids about Space Exploration Road School: An Immigration Tour of New York City Road School: Human Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems Let Trekaroo help you plan your next educational trip to bring learning alive with our Road School Guides …scroll down to find more educational field trip...
The Mom Maven
10 Fall Apple Recipes9 Oct 2015 | 3:00 amFor a lot of people Fall means pumpkins but for me it means APPLES! My favorite are McIntosh Apples which we can only get for about 1 month a year here in Florida. The rest of the year I am a Granny Smith girl. I love cooking and baking with apples and while I hope to bring you a few more new apple recipes this season, today I thought I'd do a round-up of apple recipes from here at The Mom Maven and from some of my friends around the blogosphere. <ol><li>Copycat PDQ Toffee Apple Dip</li> <li>Cinnamon Roll Dutch Apple Pie</li> <li>Trail Mix Apples</li> <li>Crockpot Apple Cobbler</li> <li>Simple Apple Butter Bread</li> <li>Apple Pie Cupcakes</li> <li>Green Apple Pie Smoothie</li> <li>Caramel Apple Cheesecake...</li></ol>
Traveling with Miu Color Packing Cubes8 Oct 2015 | 3:00 amI received one or more of the products or services mentioned for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Some of the links in this post are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.A friend of mine swears by packing with packing cubes. She recently moved her family of 7 including 5 kids under age 6 from the USA to Turkey in only neatly packed backpacks filled with organized packing cubes. She actually did a periscope of how she accomplished this monumental packing task, and I...
Win it Wednesday 10-7-157 Oct 2015 | 3:00 amI'm still getting back into the swing of things after last week's cruise and now I'm getting ready to head off again. Today is packing day! Tomorrow I head to Atlanta so see all of my friends at Type-A Parent Conference, the best blog conference around. You can follow along all the excitement with the hashtag #typeacon or by following my Instagram. The Win It Wednesday Giveaway Linky Rules 1. Make sure the link is to the giveaway post, not the home page of your blog. Links to home pages will be deleted. 2. Put the end date in the title of your giveaway. 3. Link to an image of the prize, not your blog button. 4. If you post a giveaway...
Goals for October 20156 Oct 2015 | 11:00 amI said last month that my goal should be "Don't go Insane." I am proud to say, I achieved that goal! Thanks to the fact that I am a super planner and organizer I was able to volunteer at Sharathon and prepare for and enjoy our cruise without a lot of stress. Review of September Goals Business <ul><li>Pageviews to 15,000 and uniques to 13,000.-I did 13,000 and 11,000 which is fine for being away from the computer for about 2 weeks.</li> <li>Book 3 vacations.-I didn't book any </li> <li>Sign 2 new Plexus Ambassadors and find 5 new customers.-I got 4 new customers </li> </ul>Personal <ul><li>Walk 5000 steps a day.-If I average out the month I did well, thanks to the cruise!</li> <li>Drink 100 oz of water a day.-I did...</li></ul>
Turn It Up Tuesday 1075 Oct 2015 | 5:00 pmHello friends! We made it home from our cruise, and a visit from Hurricane Joaquin. I'll be blogging about our adventures in the near future. Today is filled with laundry and catching up on the 1400+ emails I received while I was away. Once the laundry is done, I start packing again because on Thursday I head to Atlanta for Type-A Con! This is one of my most favorite events of the year because It is fun, I learn a lot and I get to hang with my people! Follow #typeacon on Twitter from Thur-Sun for all of the fun! We had an amazing, no phenomenal, week last week, and it's because of all of you. We love having you stop by, enjoying the party, and joining us in the Turn It...
Brendan's Adventures
Galapagos Islands Day 2: Española Island8 Oct 2015 | 4:26 amAfter a pretty rough night at sea, our "Feel Again" team arrived on Española Island just after sunrise. The last time I visited the Galapagos Islands, Española Island was actually my favourite destination. I loved the beautiful landscapes, the soft white-sand beaches, and how the sea lions would seemingly play with you on the beach and in […]
Destination Morocco: Want to Join Me?3 Oct 2015 | 6:07 amAfter a very successful photography tour and workshop in Peru this May, I'm excited to announce my next big photo adventure tour. We're going to Morocco! Want to come along for the ride? About Photography in Morocco Without a doubt, Morocco is one of the most photogenic countries I've ever travelled. It seems like there […]
Galapagos Islands Day 1: Santa Cruz Island3 Oct 2015 | 6:06 amSo, after sharing what photo gear I packed to the Galapagos, it's time to get to the fun stuff. This is my first on location video from the Galapagos Islands. As you may know, I was a part of a big campaign by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism called "Feel Again". Part of the project […]
Vino Con Vista Italy Travel Guides and Events
UNESCO loves Lisbon Portugal30 Sep 2015 | 8:32 amEnglish: Monument to the Portuguese discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), Lisbon. Detail of the eastern side, showing St Francis Xavier (right) and Afonso de Albuquerque (left) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) � � � FADO (Photo credit: Jose Carlos Babo) If you want to visit a gorgeous city, head to Lisbon Portugal. I love the Monument to the Discoveries; it commemorates the Portuguese explorers who participated in the Age of Discovery of the 15th and 16th centuries. You will find this monument on the estuary of the Tagus river in the Belém parish of Lisbon. (Photo credit below from Wikipedia) � � � Padrão dos Descobrimentos View of Lisbon Castle in an illuminated manuscript (Photo credit: Wikipedia) On...
Amazing Art Exhibitions in Italy's Finest Vino con Vista Cities28 Sep 2015 | 10:05 amItaliano: La Deposizione di Cristo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Lucas Cranach d. Ä. 092 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Lucas Cranach d. Ä. – Madonna met kind (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Lucas Cranach the Elder (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Image by alarcowa via Flickr Italy has outstanding regional Art Museums that have temporary exhibits that you may want to attend in many of Italy's UNESCO World Heritage Cities. Check the Museum Websites for detailed information about Temporary Exhibitions. In Rome: The Borghese Gallery's has held temporary shows including a "Lucas Cranach" exhibit that featured the German Renaissance painter. There were actually two famous "Cranach" painters, Lucas Cranach the Elder and...
Sumptuous Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona Spain: Cathedral of the Sea27 Sep 2015 | 9:24 amI love the Sumptuous Santa Maria dei Mar cathedral in Barcelona Spain; also known as Cathedral of the Sea in Catalonia. Catalonia was part of the great Aragonese maritime power and at one time it was one of the most prosperous cities in the Mediterranean. The foundation stone of the church was laid by King Alfonso IV of Aragon and the Catalan Gothic church was built between 1329 and 1383. In 1428 an earthquake destroyed the rose window on the west end of the church. It was replaced in the 15th century with a Gothic window. Outside the church, visit the trendy Passeig del Born with plenty of shopping and Vino con Vista opportunities. Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes travel guides at...
Monaco's is a Perfect Destination Wedding Location on the French Riviera25 Sep 2015 | 1:29 pmImage by Getty Images via @daylife Shop in Monaco If you are looking for the perfect destination wedding spot, go to Monaco on the French Riviera. This is where the highly anticipated Royal Wedding took place. The fairy-tale principality of Monaco is where Prince Albert II and his South African fiancee tied the knot. She wore a glorious Giorgio Armani wedding gown with a 15 foot train. There were two separate events: a small civil ceremony in the Throne Room of the palace and a lavish Catholic ceremony. The religious ceremony of Albert's parents, Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, was held in the magnificent Cathedral of Monaco in 1956. There were 3,500 guests at the religious ceremony in the Palace...
Alghero's Cathedral of Santa Maria in Italy25 Sep 2015 | 7:43 amImage via Wikipedia Alghero is a beautiful coastal city of medieval origin situated in the northwestern coral coast of Sardinia. This town is 300 miles off the coast of Spain near Barcelona. They speak Italian as well as Catalan. The recently refurbished cathedral of Santa Maria (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Immacolata di Alghero) stands in Piazza del Duomo on Via Sant'Erasmo. Some of its oldest structures provide an outstanding example of the late Catalan-Gothic period. This cathedral has been the bishop's seat since 1503. Door of the Cathedral's Bell Tower in Alghero Sardinia This cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has an elaborate apse and an octagonal bell tower with a pyramidal cuspid....
Atlas Obscura - Latest Articles and Places
The Alluring Art Deco Parkway That Winds Through Connecticut9 Oct 2015 | 9:00 amA�soothing drive down Connecticut's Merritt Parkway. (Photo: Doug Kerr/ flickr) If there were an EGOT for highways, Connecticut's Merritt Parkway would surely be one. It is listed as a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Commission, which could be considered the Pulitzer Prize for public roads. The National Park Service has listed it as a Registered Historic Place (a list that includes thousands of American spaces, but only a handful of highways). The Merritt has its own conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated solely to keeping the Merritt intact and as beautiful as possible. Even the Library of Congress has written about the Merritt's hallowed paved roads. It's a truly beloved span of...
Tiny Star Wars Chocolates, I Am Your Father9 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amDon't listen to Yoda! You can indeed try each of these desserts. (Image: Faith & Flower/Instagram) Star Wars fans: you can't�watch The Force Awakens until December, and you can't go to Star Wars Land until... sometime later than that. But if you're in L.A., for a limited time, you can eat a bonbon modeled after a Death Star. A restaurant called Faith & Flower,�ordinarily known for their classy steaks and�flaming absinthe cart, has imported a series of desserts from a galaxy far, far away. Through December,�Jedi in the know�who ask for the off-menu dessert board will be able to mock-duel with a candy lightsaber, "rescue" Han Solo from a block of chocolate, and sink their teeth into the heads of Vader and a...
FOUND: The Color of Pluto's Sky9 Oct 2015 | 6:22 amPluto is surrounded by a haze of blue. The New Horizons space probe has�sent back color photos of the dwarf planet�on the edge of our solar system, and Pluto is ringed by blue—courtesy of a cloud of soot-like particles.� These particles aren't the same type that make the�skies over Earth�look blue to our eyes. "A blue sky often results from scattering of sunlight by very small particles," said New Horizons�science team researcher Carly Howett in a NASA press release. "On Earth, those particles are very tiny nitrogen molecules. On Pluto they appear to be larger—but still relatively small—soot-like particles we call tholins." The Pluto particles are red and gray, but it's possible that, if you were standing...
Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine in Hong Kong9 Oct 2015 | 10:00 amLots of people like Hello Kitty, but it takes a special kind of devotion to open an entire dim sum restaurant devoted to the cute icon. But for those who have just been dying to bite into a dumpling shaped like her face, Hong Kong has you covered with Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine. Hello Kitty is said to be more popular in Hong Kong than even in her native Japan, so it is little wonder that her first dim sum restaurant would spring up there. The eatery is awash in the adorable visage of the popular cartoon cat, starting with the sign outside. Then on the inside, you can't swing, well, a dead cat without hitting some representation of the character. She's on the dinnerware, chopsticks, wall decorations and...
Ax-Man Surplus in Saint Paul, Minnesota9 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amLocated in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota, Ax-Man manages to�share a block with a vape shop, a dive bar/music venue, and a purveyor of sex toys yet comes out on top with providing the assortment's�most guaranteed-unforgettable�experience. Stepping through the doors of this surplus shop means being transported�into a metallic-tinged�purgatory�of things you really don't need but definitely�want. No matter the department, the entire store is permeated with a faint smell somewhere between soldering iron residue and dust, aka: the magical smell of bad ideas forming.� It's one of those stores that can, at times,�be properly�helpful for those who actually build or make things. For the rest of the...
Atlas Obscura: Articles
Why All the Cool New Dinosaurs Are From Asia And South America9 Oct 2015 | 5:00 amHow we imagined prehistory in the mid-1800s (Image: Henry de la Beche/Wikimedia) When paleontologists look for a place to find dinosaur bones, they're searching out spots with a few particular qualities. The rocks need to be the right age, and they need to be sedimentary rock. It helps if they're in an arid environment, where erosion pulls away layers of rock and exposes more of the past. Also, they need to be as far away from other paleontologists as possible. Ultimately, there are only so many easily accessible places in the world where vast swaths of land meet these criteria. Of all the different kinds of dinosaurs discovered, most have come from just six countries: China, Argentina, the United States,...
The Hardscrabble Side of America, in Previously Unseen Photos from the 1970s9 Oct 2015 | 5:00 amWhen Jesse Pollock, founder�of Unpiano Books, published a collection of his father Arthur Pollock's pictures�in 2011, he was merely scraping the surface of the elder Pollock's�oeuvre. Arthur�spent many years traveling around New England and the Midwest�as a news photographer, and now works as a�photo editor at�the�Boston Herald.�The book featured 200 images from an archive of more than�10,000, taken over a 30-plus year career.� The images, of major news events and small candid moments, predate today's digital street photography—yet somehow feel completely contemporary. Demand for Arthur Pollock's�sly historic photos was high enough for his son�to make a second volume of work, AP2, released for the 2015 NY...
D Evil's Own Paradise by Dr.A.Cool AAH
24 Sep 2015 | 12:14 am24 Sep 2015 | 12:14 amHONDA : The Paper Ad.Brilliant:More details @ Ad AgeA Must see
Women Entrepreneurs up close in Dilli Haat!10 Feb 2015 | 3:15 amOne fine warm wintry Sunday, decided to go to Dilli Haat to hunt for a copper finger ring for my son. Did not get the ring, but yes, the new theme was pretty fresh.The Ministry of Women and Child Development had organised an exhibition on the Women of India in�Dilli Haat. �Women artisans and entrepreneurs from across India had their various products displayed.As usual there were your usual press photographers, and of course many other photographers armed with their DSLR cameras and fancy lenses and tripods, shooting anything and everything that moved or did not move. :-)This inspired me to whip out my cell phone,- a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and I too joined this gang of shooters, and celebrate the Women of...
World Cup FIFA songs (playlist)26 May 2014 | 2:24 am
Tripura Rahasyam11 Feb 2014 | 9:54 amTripura Rahasyamgreat stuff. Now I just need to findthe book ;-)
Options for Android :-) The Future of Android10 Sep 2013 | 10:52 amSo we had an eventful 2-3 weeks..Nokia bought out by Microsoft, KitKat and Google android and now the IOS 7 launch ...iPhone 5??!! whatever#pastries #desserts etcsuddenly remembered an old photograph I had taken.. #google have a look for inspirationFor some more entertainment have a look at theseAndroid KitKat 4.4
When dreams come true: a cruise on the River Nile7 Oct 2015 | 10:34 amAbout the River Where Km Nilometer Nile now Nile for the Ancient Egyptians My first cruise: when Why I always wanted to cruise the Nile what I saw Farmers life Sunrises and sunsets Towns on the way and where it stops Sights on the way: Boats on the River Nile: Daily schedule. How much time […] The post When dreams come true: a cruise on the River Nile appeared first on Vivamost!.
Looking into the world of castles and palaces26 Sep 2015 | 9:09 amMagical castle versus Palace? Known for their gardens, kitchen How many in ruins? How many tourists? Most beloved in Europe? How much money is spent in restauring? How many castles in France, England, Germany, etc? Type of castles Austria: Schönbrunn Palace Vienna Belvédère in Vienna Salzburg (Autor: Stefan (Duke) vom Unterberg Datum : August 2004 […] The post Looking into the world of castles and palaces appeared first on Vivamost!.
11th Zurich Film Festival – For eleven days all eyes are on Zurich10 Sep 2015 | 2:57 am161 productions / 36 debut films / 14 world premieres Zurich, September 10, 2015 There are now just two weeks to go until once again all eyes turn to Zurich for eleven days – and the festival eye looks back from all corners of the city. The 11th Zurich Film Festival presents the newest films […] The post 11th Zurich Film Festival – For eleven days all eyes are on Zurich appeared first on Vivamost!.
The European premiere THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY selected to open 11th Zurich Film Festival25 Aug 2015 | 1:41 amPresent are: Director Matthew Brown, producer Edward R. Pressman, actors Jeremy Irons, Dev Patel, Stephen Fry and Devika Bhise Matthew Brown's dramatic bio-pic THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY has been selected to open the 11th edition of the Zurich Film Festival. He directed the film from a screenplay he adapted from Robert Kanigel's novel "The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life […] The post The European premiere THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY selected to open 11th Zurich Film Festival appeared first on Vivamost!.
Jamie Cullum at the Blueballs festival in Lucerne21 Jul 2015 | 8:47 amReview and photos from Brigid Schlunegger: Jamie Cullum comes out on the stage with guns blazing. Running from piano to drum and back again, standing on the piano, jumping off the piano, and singing all the while, never missing a beat. Jazz standards from the newest "Interlude" album to original songs from his many recordings are featured. […] The post Jamie Cullum at the Blueballs festival in Lucerne appeared first on Vivamost!.
Passport Luxury Travel Blog | Kiwi Collection
The List: 9 Destinations with Michelin Star Dining8 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amHotel dining has never been trendier, or tastier, thanks to a vanguard of talented young chefs plying their trade at many of the world's top properties. If the idea of combining a luxury getaway with collecting some Michelin stars sounds appealing, read on as we recommend nine hotels where good taste is all encompassing. The Yeatman, […]
Insider's Guide: Art Basel Miami Beach7 Oct 2015 | 11:13 amElizabeth Davey, head women's designer for clothing label Kit and Ace, frequents art fairs with her artist husband, Andrew Dadson. With the 2015 edition of Art Basel Miami Beach less than two months away (December 3-6, precisely), we called on Davey to share her intel. Herein, her tips to making the most of it, and Miami.
10 Questions: Tone Adserø of Hotel Cort5 Oct 2015 | 3:00 pmIn our General Manager series, we catch up with heads of hotels for personal stories and insider perspective. This week, we get to know Tone Adserø of Hotel Cort in Mallorca, Spain. Best hotel room at the property: The Plaça Suite, number 23, with its high ceiling, double shower and huge bed. The hotel's most […]
Spotlight: Son Julia Country House Hotel1 Oct 2015 | 1:43 pmStanding poised off the beaten track in the Majorcan countryside, Son Julia Country House Hotel awaits guests seeking a retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Just 25 spacious rooms and suites are housed inside this restored 15th century estate, providing an intimate and rewarding environment for guests. Read on as we explore the nooks and crannies of this spectacular hotel.
Experience: Seizing Sideline Charms in Peru's Sacred Valley30 Sep 2015 | 9:38 amMachu Picchu is a bucket list item for many, and for good reason. Even I, the jaded travel writer, had tears come to my eyes the first time I set eyes on the Incan ruins peeking out from beneath the clouds. But too many travelers skip over the nearby Sacred Valley of the Incas, the beautiful corridor between Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Jayway Travel
Philadelphia Trail Club Croatia Hiking Trip8 Oct 2015 | 1:17 pmWe recently arranged a hiking trip in Croatia for a group of 15 ladies from the Philadelphia Trail Club and we enjoyed reading their collective feedback so much we just had to share it on our blog. Jane, a member of the group and their travel agent said: Thank you for an outstanding experience in Beautiful Croatia. A wonderful time was had by all 15 of us. I really enjoyed the variety – from the small towns to the larger cities, the varied hikes and hike leaders from the most difficult Mt. Srd to the picturesque Plitvice Lake National Park and everything in between. What spectacular views we had throughout. The length and difficulty of the hikes was just right., the skilled drivers and well spoken,...
Another side to Croatia: Trakoscan and Varazdin3 Oct 2015 | 9:23 amJust a short drive of less than an hour north of Zagreb in the Zagorje region of the country you'll find two picturesque and decidedly un-Croatian looking sights, particularly if you started in the south of the country. Both of these places speak more to the history of inland Croatia, quite different to the Roman, Venetian and Ragusan history of the coast. Get off the beaten path of the coastal cities and explore an area of Croatia where few tourists ever reach. Trakoscan Castle Perched on a hilltop that has long been the site of a fortification of some kind, Trakoscan was first mentioned in records in 1334. Various noble families owned the castle until it became the property of the state property in the...
Travel Different: Stay in a National Monument27 Sep 2015 | 8:48 amMostar's Old Bridge Area is one of just two UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina and sees more visitors than anywhere else in the country but the majority of them stay for just a few hours on a day trip from Dubrovnik or by detouring a little into Bosnia and Herzegovina on the drive between Dubrovnik and Split. While it's fair to say that a few hours is enough to see the main sights of the town there's something to be said for slowing down a little and spending the night. Mostar began as an Ottoman frontier town in the 15th and 16th centuries and was further developed during the Austro-Hungarian period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The iconic sights of Mostar are of...
Expert Interview: Evan Rail17 Sep 2015 | 8:32 amEvan Rail is one of the world's foremost beer writers and a regular contributor to the New York Times '36 Hours In…' series of travel articles. I first started reading his restaurant reviews in the no-longer-in-print Prague Post back in the early 2000s, He's still based in Prague but travels all over Europe in search of the perfect pint. Q. What brought you to the Czech Republic? The beer or something else? Were you into beer before? I was definitely interested in beer before I got here, but I really developed my interest in beer by studying the very long history of Czech brewing. There's over a thousand years of records to go through, starting with some of the oldest breweries in Europe, and new...
Food of the Baltics13 Sep 2015 | 9:39 amThis guest post is by Laura Longwell, half of travel blogging couple Travel Addicts who joined us on a 10 Day Tour of the Baltic States as part of the #JayWayBaltics blogger project. The cuisine of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania is heavily based on seasonality and the countries' location in Northern Europe. Traditionally, food in the Baltics has been hearty fare such as meat and potatoes flavored with garlic, herbs, and little else. As the counties have evolved in the years since Communism fell, their cuisine has, too. The staples continue to play an important (and delicious!) role, and there is a wider variety of options in traditional and modern restaurants than ever before. Here are some foods you...
Go BIG or Go Home
What to Pack for a Carnival Cruise30 Sep 2015 | 4:03 pmThe Carnival Splendor This summer, we spent a delightful five days at sea on the Carnival Splendor. It was a great opportunity to get up to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada, in a way that did not involve packing up the car and spending 10+ hours reminding the kids to stay on their own side of the back seat. Of course, it was a BIG experience – the Splendor is currently the largest ship in the fleet (this will change next year when Carnival Vista takes its maiden voyage), and Carnival is the world's largest cruise line. Packing for a cruise is easier than packing for air travel – you don't have to worry about paying extra for the suitcases, even if they exceed 50 lbs. And no pesky 3-ounce rule...
A Review of Slide the City: What to Know11 Aug 2015 | 5:36 amSlide the City By now, you've probably seen it on the news. The looooong green and blue water slide, a BIG version of the "Slip n' Slide" you might have had in your front lawn as a kid. Slide the City is making the rounds through the U.S. and Canada, setting up its slide through sloping city streets everywhere. It even broke the world record for "Longest distance traveled on a slip and slide in one hour" this summer in Fort Worth, Texas. Enthralled with the idea, we bought "early bird" tickets for the July event in Stamford, CT. It's a pricey investment, even when you get the early purchase discount. You can choose your price based on one ride, three rides, or unlimited rides. What we...
World's Largest Outdoor Antiques Show: Brimfield Antique Show, Brimfield, MA30 Jul 2015 | 5:49 pmI spend more time than I should watching HGTV, and my current favorite show is Flea Market Flip. I'm captivated by the "before and after" transformations of the old pieces they find at antiques shows and flea markets. One of the markets regularly featured is the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts. It's supposedly the world's largest outdoor antiques fair, so that was all the reason I needed to plan an outing. Brimfield is a small town, with Route 20 (Main Street) running through it. The antiques show, which has run since 1959, is situated on both sides of this road along a one mile stretch. Technically, the show is multiple smaller markets, each with their own days and hours of...
We're BIG on Branson!9 Jun 2015 | 11:15 amA recent travel writing trip brought me to Branson, Missouri, a beautiful Ozark Mountain town just north of Arkansas. There are many sides to Branson; there's the historic downtown, the lakes and outdoor recreation, and the lively entertainment strip along Highway 76. Branson is best known for this stretch of theaters, attractions, and restaurants. It's bright, fun, busy…and dotted with lots of BIG roadside attractions! My rental car made a lot of stops…here are my favorite Branson roadside attractions: The BIG Chair It finally happened! One of my "Go BIG" dreams—other than seeing the world's largest ball of twine—was to sit in a BIG chair. Got it done in Branson! This hand-crafted, 15-foot...
World's Largest Miniature Circus: Sarasota, Florida15 May 2015 | 11:46 amThe Big Show Entrance If you played with doll houses, built model airplanes, or created LEGO lands, you understand the fascination with miniatures. As a kid, I took omnipotent pleasure in making these small worlds look and operate exactly the way I wanted them to. As an adult watching my kids do the same, I appreciate the technical artistry and attention to detail reflected in miniature figures and furnishings. We brought this love of little to the Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota, Florida, where the world's largest miniature circus fills 3,800 square feet of exhibit space, and can be viewed from two floors. Through 44,000 individual pieces, this circus tells a story, brilliantly, with moving elements...
Our Review of the Strangler Vine by M. J. Carter23 Sep 2015 | 8:24 amFor anyone yet to discover the superb The Strangler Vine: The Blake and Avery Mystery Series (Book 1) by M. J. Carter, this really is one of the best pieces of India based fiction we've read in a long time. Historian M. J Carter (married to another famous writer John Lanchester) has made her first foray into fiction with this superbly researched and characterised mystery based on the legendary Thugee Cult. Set in the Era of the East India Company, the book explores 19th century India through a wryly colonial perspective as a young lieutenant, William Avery, is forced to head deeply into the wilds in search of a famous British writer Xavier Mountstuart who has vanished. Avery is accompanied by Jeremiah...
Our review of Abode Hotel in Mumbai22 Sep 2015 | 8:28 amSet in the heart of Colaba, Abode Hotel is the kind of discovery Indiaphile readers will absolutely love. In fact, we're naming it our hotel of the year, for it's combination of style, ethics and friendly service. Just past the famous Regal Cinema, above a fairly nondescript Colaba street, Abode welcomes it's visitors into a haven of boho tranquillity. Housed in a 110-year-old heritage building, sensitively updated by Australian architect Sian Pascale, Mumbai's first boutique hotel is situated in what was once the private house of an East India Company director. With it's double height ceilings, whitewashed brick walls and original circular glass internal window, the design evokes the colonial era, and...
Indian E Visa Scheme Comes to the UK at last19 Aug 2015 | 5:43 amIn an attempt to boost tourism, India is finally opening up it's E Visa Scheme to the UK, a move which will hopefully lessen the stressful and time consuming business of applying via the current process. The cost will be also reduced from the current fee of £89.44 to £39, and rather than book an appointment at an application centre or provide documents in the post, applicants will now be able to upload documents, pay the balance and track their application online. All in all this is a superb bit of news for frequent travellers to India which should make the process of getting access to this fabulous country a lot easier. According to the Indian government website, 'e-visa applications must be submitted a...
The Boob Job Capital of India: How Indian Medical Tourism is Embracing Plastic Surgery2 Jul 2015 | 7:59 amAs one of the centre's of India's economic explosion, it's little surprise that Mumbai should also bear the title 'the boob job capital of India.' Nowhere in the nation is the emphasis so much on physical perfection, nor the entertainment industry so prolific. Young actors and actresses arrive in the city every day, desperate to gain a toehold in Bollywood. And of these thousands only a tiny fraction who possess not only the right acting and vocal skills, but also the right physical attributes, will ever get the chance to see their dream realised. For many of those, working humdrum jobs while they wait for their break. plastic surgery offers the promise of a better chance of that elusive break. It is not...
Interview with Piers Moore Ede on Kaleidoscope City: A Year in Varanasi.20 Feb 2015 | 9:26 amCan you tell us a bit about what inspired you to write a book about Varanasi? For me, travelling and writing go hand in hand as a means to explore and work through certain things which interest me. It's a great privilege really to be able to spend a lot of time doing this and, in that sense, the books I've done have been snapshots of my mind during a certain period of my life. In the case of Kaleidoscope City: A Year in Varanasi. I'd been in India several years, visiting Varanasi regularly, before it occurred to me to try and write a book about it. On almost every initial visit I fled after some time, either to go South to Kerala or North to Himachal, just to recover from the experience of being in the...
Bacon is Magic - Culinary Travel Blog
How to Use a Selfie Stick Without Looking Obnoxious8 Oct 2015 | 4:41 amWe landed in Italy without ever having heard of the selfie stick but it was a fast and furious introduction in Rome as we were bombarded by street sellers pushing them in our face once they realized we were the only tourists in Rome without one. We first turned our travel snob noses up passing tacky tourists foolishly taking photos and waived the street hawkers with disdain. But 24 hours later they started to look list a good idea. At 5′ tall I certainly don't have the arm span to take photos and Dave is no giant either. � The Oatmeal Weighs In Reluctantly we decided to get one and as the street hawker explained how to use a selfie stick and connect the bluetooth remote to the phone I was already hooked....
Where to Eat in Rome – What We Did Right and Horribly Wrong in One Day7 Oct 2015 | 4:59 amI'd love to say we arrived in Rome full of energy and ready to explore but Dave had an awful time on the flight over and couldn't sleep so he was a zombie when he landed. I was thankful that I had been to Rome several times so I knew how to take a train in Italy and had a general sense of the city. I could navigate us through the airport to Termini station and into our hotel. I also had a general sense of where to eat in Rome. � There's a lemon tree on our balcony at the Intercontinental! As it was Dave's first time in Rome I thought it would be good to stay at the Intercontinental by the Spanish Steps so we'd be central to everything. I know everyone says to stay in Trastevere but I thought being close to...
The Complete List of Long Haul Flight Tips6 Oct 2015 | 5:08 amWe're on our way to Italy! This was Dave's first trans-Atlantic flight, his first trip to Europe and most importantly his first long haul flight. I'm only 5 feet tall and so I never really think about comfort when flying as I always have lots of room and in many ways I think I failed him because I didn't research long haul flight tips. We arrived to the airport early so we wouldn't have to rush or if Dave was "randomly chosen" for additional screening because of his tattoos we would have lots of time to reach our gate. Things went so smoothly, until we got on the plane and I realized we were a bit unprepared for his first long haul flight. He barely slept and arrived exhausted in Rome, there wasn't much I...
In Search of Edible Mushrooms28 Sep 2015 | 9:40 amDave loves autumn and prefers it to summer. I guess I would as well if it didn't lead to the crushing cold of winter. This year we've been busy in the midst of launching our new restaurant Loka, we're so fortunate to have the opportunity but this week we were feeling a bit burnt out. It's times like this that you need to get away even if it's just overnight. Last week I snuck off on my own to Grey County but this weekend Dave couldn't pass up a weekend in Southwest Ontario to go foraging for edible mushrooms and ziplining – also known as shrooming and zooming. Ontario's Southwest is not new for us, we traveled there in the Spring to go foraging edible plants and we loved how it was less than 2 hours away...
Why Walking Away From Love Helped Me Find It On the Road25 Sep 2015 | 9:33 amThis guest post is a special one because I had such a similar story. Kristin reached out to me years ago to say she was dreaming of travel but was afraid to leave her life to travel so I sent her a lengthy email to let her know all of her fears were normal, life on the road wasn't perfect but I had no regrets. I love that she is passing on the encouragement. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. Could I really do it? As soon as I did, I knew that it would all be real. The chain reaction would start, then the floodgates would open. I'd be standing right in the thick of it, learning how to swim. I sat there at my desk and asked myself, "Are you really ready to buy the one-way ticket? Are you truly...
Overland Travel Adventures from Go, See, Write
How to vacation for less on Maui8 Oct 2015 | 8:30 amThanks for following and reading Overland Travel Adventures from Go, See, Write Many people dream of a Maui vacation. They envision luaus on the beach, ukulele lessons under palm trees, and mai tais at sunset. The price tag on that dream getaway can quickly get out of hand – but there are ways to vacation for less on Maui. You can easily spend $7000 for a one week Maui holiday including airfare, but we have a few tips on how to substantially lower that number. Accommodations Next to flights, accommodations are your biggest expense. You can lower that cost considerably by using a site like AirBnB or VRBO – and the longer you stay, the more you'll save. Keep in mind that properties on or close to the...
5 must-try drinks in Argentina5 Oct 2015 | 11:00 amThanks for following and reading Overland Travel Adventures from Go, See, Write Ahh, Argentina, the land of beautiful people and tango, the Paris of South America. Besides the wild partying and the intellectual culture of psychoanalysis, Argentina has a lot to offer. Everyone always talks about how amazing the food is, but what about the drinks? Whether you go to the bustling capital of Buenos Aires or the outlying provinces, there are 5 drinks that you need to try in Argentina. 1. Fernet Fernet Branca is not actually from Argentina, but like many other things in Argentine culture, has been adopted from Italy and claimed as their own. Fernet is a dark, syrupy liquor that tastes bitter and herb-like,...
The best hikes in Rio de Janeiro30 Sep 2015 | 9:29 amThanks for following and reading Overland Travel Adventures from Go, See, Write While Rio de Janeiro has an amazing coastline, the city offers so much more than just beachside relaxation and caipirinha sipping. In fact, the best way to enjoy the coastline for an adventurous traveler might not be from the seaside, but rather viewed from up above. Luckily, there are three awesome and easy-to-reach hikes within the city of Rio de Janeiro, which offer outstanding views and an excellent way to burn off some caipirinha calories. Each of my 3 favorite hikes in Rio de Janeiro is unique, which I'll expound upon below, but they also share some commonalities. All three hikes cost less than a few dollars to...
The flavors of Morocco28 Sep 2015 | 8:30 amThanks for following and reading Overland Travel Adventures from Go, See, Write From the Rif Mountains near Chefchaouen to the Sahara Desert, Morocco is a vibrant country through and through. The colorful culture drew me in right away, but it's the flavors of Morocco that truly captured my heart during my time there. Food is one of the main factors that determine how much I love a country. Given that Morocco is one of my favorite countries, to say I just liked the food is an understatement. There are so many different flavors in Moroccan food, each evoking different memories of an unforgettable trip. Turn up the heat with a spicy tagine Morocco's most famed dish, tagine, contains an array of...
Top 8 walks to take around Wellington, NZ24 Sep 2015 | 7:49 amThanks for following and reading Overland Travel Adventures from Go, See, Write One of the many reasons why Wellington is called the "coolest little capital in the world" is because of how walkable the city is. I was impressed with how accessible so many hiking trails are from the city, and the vast amount of choices for beautiful scenery that could be found just steps outside my house in Newtown. Wellington is a city that's meant to be walked. I took full advantage of Wellington's walkable attributes while I was living there, and although the weather may not always cooperate, it's one of the best ways to experience the local side of Wellington. Here are my top picks and favorite walks to...
Globetrotting Mama
Travel Deals and Destinations: 5 Money-Saving Reasons to Travel to San Diego this October9 Oct 2015 | 10:04 am� In this, our special edition of Travel Deals and Destinations, we are focusing on a promotion to encourage family travel to the amazing American city of San Diego. Here are some fun facts about this coastal city, followed by a snapshot of some of the deals running all month long. To view the complete list of 100+ Kidvasion deals – go to the San Diego website. San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States of America, and the second largest city in the state of California. Located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the city's 1 Million + inhabitants, plus the many tourists that flock, enjoy outdoor recreation (in such mild year-round weather) and amazing food (have you read about my own...
10 Reasons to visit Tuscany this Fall8 Oct 2015 | 10:05 amI don't need 10 reasons to convince me to visit Tuscany! The region in central Italy stole my heart a long time ago with its endless allure of great food, peaceful countrysides and talented artisans. I have a lot of great memories of my travels to the region with the family and without them. It's why reading through this list of things to do and experience in Tuscany this fall has me drooling and dreaming. Whether you too have already mentally packed or are looking for some reasons to add it to your dream destination list, these reasons should help. Thanks to the team at Massimo Ferragamo's historic Tuscan estate, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, for these 10 reasons to go now: 1.The Vendemmia, or...
Travel Deals and Destinations for Fall Travel, October 20152 Oct 2015 | 9:54 amHappy October! Here's a round-up of the latest travel deals. 1 For travel within America, Alaska Air has a great deal on right now – $79 on some one-way flights. It's worth checking out! Find out more. 2 When the sand and sea calls to you, well Belize might be exactly what you need. Here are some last minute Belize vacation deals. Find out more. 3 Cruising the high seas – and saving money! Here are some cruise deals to insure your fall travel. Find out more. 4 The Shangri-la chain of luxurious hotels wants you to celebrate China National Day along with them. Package prices available at their locations, including in Toronto and Vancouver. Find out more. 5 Bali is a great destinations for getting away in...
USTA: Project Time Off , NYC1 Oct 2015 | 7:45 amEarlier this summer I was a featured guest on a Twitter chat run by National Geographic Traveler and The United States Travel Association. The chat discussed the importance of taking time off (a day, a week, a year) to create a life that is more fulfilling. It's a message I've long supported on this blog and beyond. If you haven't figured it out yet (Are you new here? ;) ) I'm a passionate believer in the power of travel, time and family to transform lives. The Association then asked if I'd be interested in sharing my story with a small group of industry insiders at the Project Time Off Forum in New York City. I said "Yes." The result? Last week I took to the stage along with several incredible speakers...
Exploring My Parents' Homeland: A Guide to Jamaica30 Sep 2015 | 6:00 amRecently I wrote a post for National Geographic Traveller about bringing my mother home to Jamaica. This trip to the caribbean paradise my parents left before my birth was not my first time "home." We've visited more than a half dozen times since they left the sun and sand behind to lay down new roots in Canada. But this special trip was about what it meant for my mother to return to the island and to visit some of the parts of Jamaica she had never explored before. It talks about the difference between visiting as a tourist and going home as a guest. You can read the article here. I love talking about what makes Jamaica such an amazing place to visit. It has it all: sand, sun, culture, history...
Family Rambling
5 Tips for the Camping Newbie29 Sep 2015 | 8:45 amCamping is an amazing family activity! Fresh air! Explorations! Cooking over fire! Dirt, sticks & rocks!!! We've been camping quite a bit and these 5 tips for the camping newbie will keep your family comfy – and maybe make camping your favorite vacation getaway! These tips assume you have already booked your campsite and you have your shelter lined up (tent, pop-up or camper). Tip #1: Packing My luggage of choice for any tent camping trip is a bunch of sturdy Rubbermaid -type containers. The reasons are simple: 1) They hold a lot. 2) They are waterproof. 3) Most critters can't get into them. 4) They stack nicely. 5) You really don't want to drag your luggage around a campsite. I am also a...
5 Incredible Midwest Towns You Must Visit23 Sep 2015 | 1:07 pmI'm a big fan of my Midwestern home. Half way from everywhere in the contiguous US, we often choose road trips over flying. This past summer my family explored quite of bit of the land oft referred to as 'fly over country' – and discovered these incredible Midwest towns that are well worth visiting. Don't miss these 5 incredible Midwest towns: Hayward, WI; Rockford, IL; Fort Wayne, IN; Eureka Springs, AR & Hot Springs, SD. 5 Incredible Midwest Towns You Aren't Visiting – But Should! Published by Minitime and syndicated to Huffington Post Living in the heart of America's Heartland lends itself to wonderful exploratory road trips. From Great Plains to arid Badlands, Great Lakes to Ozark Mountains, the...
Multi-generational Camping near Omaha, Nebraska21 Sep 2015 | 7:19 amThis was our second year taking a multi-generational camping trip. Last year we all escaped to Eureka Springs, Arkansas (one of my personal favorite places in the US). This year we stayed a bit closer to our central Iowa home with a long weekend trip to Omaha. Camping near Omaha, Nebraska was a great choice for everyone in the family. We were able to spend our days enjoying the campground or taking fun outings into the city. And our evenings were spent relaxing by the campfire, enjoying movies on our custom (camper) big-screen. Mini golf, smacos in the fire , and movies on the camper. Family vacation at its best. Camping With the Family – The WHOLE Family published by The Scenic Route at GoRVing.com I am...
Planning Fall Camping? Checklist, Hacks & Gear- all right here.6 Aug 2015 | 7:00 amMake sure you are prepared for your fall camping outings! Great infographic with tips on where to go, what to pack (and what not to pack), and products you don't want to be without. Via: http://www.exceedinternet.org/camping-tips The post Planning Fall Camping? Checklist, Hacks & Gear- all right here. appeared first on Family Rambling.
Head 'Up North' to Hayward, Wisconsin4 Aug 2015 | 12:56 pmI have finally discovered why 'Up North' is so popular! If you live anywhere in the Midwest, but particularly Minnesota and Wisconsin, 'Up North' is a part of your vernacular that needs no explanation. For everyone else… 'Up North' can be found above 45° latitude and between 85° and 95º longitude. This is where the northern pine forests become more prominent than concrete sidewalks, where cool breezes from the Great Lakes blow away humidity, and where you can really escape your frantic reality. Going 'Up North' – Escaping Summer Heat in Hayward, Wisconsin published by The Scenic Route at GoRVing.com If I had my way I would chase perfect weather across the country, moving my RV as the seasons...
Chic Traveler
Video: Travel Channel's Top 5 Destinations: Worthy Sweets and Treats9 Oct 2015 | 10:30 amTravel Channel shares its top five mouthwatering sweets and treats.
Black Diamond's New Convergent Shell Keeps You Warm and Dry9 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amOften when skiing or snowboarding, how much fun you have is directly related to how comfortable you are. If you're too warm or not warm enough, it can make for a miserable outing, so when it comes to ski gear, one of the biggest challenges is finding clothing that's breathable and water resistant. The Black […]
Video: New Law Says Flyers Must Bring Passport, Not Drivers License, To Airport8 Oct 2015 | 10:30 amSomehow, flying just became even more inconvenient.
Inn at Mystic Connecticut Historic Honeymoon Getaway8 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amFor those looking for a romantic retreat, the Inn at Mystic is a distinctive resort nestled on fourteen acres in the heart of historic Mystic, Connecticut. In the summer of 1945, it was the honeymoon destination choice of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart who stayed in the Gatehouse of the Inn. Accommodations The Inn at […]
Video: 18 Inns and B&Bs with Stunning Views of Fall Foliage7 Oct 2015 | 10:30 amBook a trip to one of these beauties and give autumn the appreciation it deserves.
TheExpeditioner Travel Site
Wild Kauai: Surfing With A Hawaiian Legend8 Oct 2015 | 1:55 pmI looked through the sliding glass doors of our beachside rental, past the palm trees and rain-soaked grass, and out to the water. The early light showed Hanalei Bay to be a windswept jumble with not one surfer out on dawn patrol. At 6:30 a.m. my friend Sarah bounded in. "The guys just texted. Kilauea gas station at 7:15," she said. I hoped conditions would be better over there. I was halfway through an eight-day stay in Kauai with three girlfriends, enjoying curling, consistent waves every day. Despite the aching arms typical of other surf trips, that April visit was proving to be more than a wave-catching vacation. I was riding swells with Hawaiians who embodied not just the local surf scene, but the...
Summer In Scottsdale And The Livin' Is Line-Free20 Sep 2015 | 6:01 pmTo the ordinary outsider, a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, for the 4th of July, may seem a bit crazy, what with the average temperature hovering above 100 degrees for the month of July. However, throw into the mix the fact that hotel prices drop anywhere from 50% to 80% off their peak season rates (from the very high-end resorts down to basic chain hotels), restaurants otherwise normally difficult at best to get into are home to empty dining rooms, and the reality that the dry desert air doesn't really feel that bad (at least to this New York City dweller who suffers through perspiration-inducing walks from the subway to the office for the entire summer season), and you begin to realize Scottsdale is a...
Going "Deep" In Indonesia: Diving The Gilis8 Sep 2015 | 3:05 pmIt is a glorious morning. With the sort of light that deserves to have a few moments taken to stop, breathe it in, and absorb the possibility it brings; to make a memory of the way the sun dances across the sea, sprinkling it with gold; to relish the cool that blurs the horizon; to squint your eyes into the gentle mist which offers the promise of the hot day ahead. But I am doing precisely none of these things, too distracted by the certainty that this will be the last dawn I see. [Pause for dramatic effect] Today I am scheduled for my first deep scuba dive: The dive that has prevented me from taking the PADI Advanced Open Water qualification since I first strapped on a BCD almost five years ago....
Cambodia Emerges As A World Yoga Destination9 Aug 2015 | 12:10 pmMany parts of Asia have long been a yoga destination for travelers seeking to deepen their practice or pick it up for the first time. While India, Bali and Thailand have traditionally been the most visited countries for yoga enthusiasts, Cambodia has recently begun to emerge as a country with a host of options for yoga travelers seeking something deeper than the "yoga-lite" which has taken hold in the resort culture. The Khmer Times recently wrote about the emergence of yoga in Cambodia as an opportunity to teach deeper awareness of individual travelers and an economic opportunity. Tourism officials see the arrival of yoga in Cambodia as an opportunity worth seizing. After 1,000 participants in Siem Reap...
The Top 50 Travel Blogs (2nd Quarter: 2015)31 Jul 2015 | 6:00 amBelow is a list of the top 50 travel blogs for the 2nd quarter (April — June) of 2015 ranked by visitor traffic. There are a few other sites that have put together their own lists of the "top" travel blogs. However, each has their own subjective means of ranking sites, using everything from Alexa scores, Twitter followers, Facebook likes, estimated traffic, inbound Google links and even subjective design criteria. My intention was to create the most objective and accurate list of the most popular travel blogs. Therefore, this list is based solely on the number of visitors a travel blog receives. To read more about how this list was put together, please read below. Top 50 Travel Blogs (Q2:...
travel blog - earthXplorer adventure travel photography
Enjoying the Waves at Conchi in Aruba9 Oct 2015 | 8:56 am
Fisherman in Halong Bay Vietnam6 Oct 2015 | 7:24 am
Bird Reflection in NE Greenland5 Oct 2015 | 10:23 amI wish I knew more about birds so I could tell you what kind this is. If you know, please tell me in the comments, thanks!
Martian Landscape or Wadi Rum Jordan4 Oct 2015 | 4:13 amWadi Rum also known as The Valley of the Moon is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan.
Woman Weaving in The Sacred Valley Peru3 Oct 2015 | 5:15 am
Traveling with MJ
Hotel Review: Loew's Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando6 Oct 2015 | 6:40 amIf you like this article, you'll find more to enjoy at Traveling with MJ - Practical travel information for practical travelers. � Loew's Portofino Bay Hotel Address: Loew's Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is located at 5601 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida. Value Luxury Rating: (out of three hearts) Features: Located on the grounds of Universal Orlando Resort, and a short complimentary water taxi away from CityWalk and the theme parks (and through November first from Halloween Horror Nights), the hotel location is popular with guests wanting the extra benefits that come with staying on property. Those theme park benefits are substantial, adding up to real dollar and cents savings,...
Halloween Horror Nights: A Hauntingly Good Time26 Sep 2015 | 6:59 pmIf you like this article, you'll find more to enjoy at Traveling with MJ - Practical travel information for practical travelers. The epic 25th year of the nation's best Halloween event, Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights As daytime segued into evening, the personality of Universal Studios Florida segued from fun and frivolity into apprehension and anxiety. I was in Orlando to attend the 25th anniversary edition of Halloween Horror Night, Was I absolutely crazy for putting myself through an evening of terror? Halloween Horror Night started in 1991 with one haunted house and was called Fright Nights. The following year it was re-named to its current moniker, scaring participants for a whopping three...
Postcard from Universal CityWalk18 Sep 2015 | 6:04 amIf you like this article, you'll find more to enjoy at Traveling with MJ - Practical travel information for practical travelers. Located adjacent to the entrance to Universal Orlando Resort, Universal CityWalk is a three block dining, shopping, and entertainment district. It's easily accessible by water taxi from Universal's on property hotels and resorts. I ate at Vivo (Italian) and Antijito (Mexican), both delicious, and very different in atmosphere. You can pick up souvenirs at the Universal Studios Store (in photo), and there are several stores to pick up whatever you fogot to pack – for me that was a pair of shoes. (NOTE: My trip was sponsored by Universal.) You might also enjoy<ul><li data-position="0" data-po data-post-type="own_sourcefeed">Postcard from Lake...</li></ul>
Lisbon: Looking Back, Looking Forward29 Aug 2015 | 3:06 pmIf you like this article, you'll find more to enjoy at Traveling with MJ - Practical travel information for practical travelers. Monument of the Discoveries, Lisbon, Portugal A little over four years ago, we were planning a trip to Portugal. The plan was to stay in the Lisbon area for a week, before continuing on with another week in Tuscany. It was our first trip to Portugal, and in my Type-A way, I researched and found a place to stay in Cascais near the beach, figured out public transportation, and was charting a list of things to see and do. We were traveling with a friend and every few days we shared something new and exciting that we learned. Tickets were purchased, accommodations booked, lists were...
Visiting the Ruins of Pompeii: From Tragedy to Tourism24 Aug 2015 | 8:12 amIf you like this article, you'll find more to enjoy at Traveling with MJ - Practical travel information for practical travelers. On August 24th, 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted in a violent two day display that destroyed the city of Pompeii, Italy, and the surrounding area. It is one of history's largest recorded volcanic eruptions, and a tragedy any measure. The city was buried under ash and pumice for nearly 1700 years, and was presumed lost until its accidental re-discovery in the mid-1700s. The subsequent excavation of the site provided a peek at what life was like during the height of the Roman Empire. Rising out of the ash and lava over a thousand years later, Pompeii turned a horrible tragedy...
i-escape travel blog
An insider's guide to… Porto9 Oct 2015 | 12:00 amPorto is often overlooked in favour of limelight hogger Lisbon, but there's a huge amount waiting to be discovered in Portugal's historic second city. Its old centre is a Unesco-listed maze of cobbled streets, Baroque churches and skinny medieval townhouses, there's a burgeoning culinary renaissance to enjoy, and it's the traditional home of port. Bottoms up! Stay Splash out: The Yeatman This luxurious, light-filled hotel has beautiful panoramic views of the River Douro, Porto's red-tiled roofs and the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge from not one but two infinity pools. Dotted around the terraced layers (which mimic the vineyards of the Douro Valley), you'll find 82 gorgeous rooms with large...
Top 5 UK foodie breaks7 Oct 2015 | 12:00 amIf you asked any of the i-escape team about the highlights of their latest trip, we bet all of them would mention food at least once: perhaps a decadent breakfast spread or a dessert they could've eaten 10 times over. If you also plan breaks around great meals, you'll love this hand-picked list of our favourite UK foodie escapes. Red Lion & Troutbeck Guest House, East Chisenbury, Wiltshire Owners Brittany and Guy have been deservedly awarded a Michelin star for their Wiltshire pub, combining hard work and years of experience in top restaurants to build up its culinary reputation. We loved the superb food and unstuffy atmosphere. And, the cherry on top, there are 5 enormous, contemporary bedrooms in the...
Escape of the Week… Kahanda Kanda5 Oct 2015 | 12:00 amIt's a bumpy drive, but arriving at Sri Lanka's totally indulgent Kahanda Kanda is a wonderful reward for your efforts. The hotel's stylish and soothing design, stunning gardens and warm welcome will immediately put you into relaxation mode. Breathtaking views extend beyond the palms and 12 acres of working tea estate, to the distant Koggala Lake, and are visible at every turn: behind the shimmering infinity pool, mirrored in the lily-strewn ponds around the open-sided living and dining pavilions, and from your private suite. Rooms: The beautiful, large suites are spread among several free-standing pavilions in the garden, giving you a quiet little oasis all to yourself. The airy interiors are...
Top 5 hidden gardens2 Oct 2015 | 12:00 amWe love a hotel that delivers something unforgettable, so you can imagine our excitement when we stepped through the doors of these urban hideaways to discover pockets of unexpected alfresco tranquillity. These are our five favourite oases for escaping the city… Number Sixteen, London This dreamy ode to English elegance is tucked into one of London's smartest residential quarters. It's bright and contemporary but still retains its historic charm, including a beautiful tree-lined garden and an airy orangery – the perfect settings for a lengthy afternoon tea (or breakfast, for that matter). Riva Lofts, Florence This converted mill on the banks of the Arno river is the work of a talented architect...
Easy Escapes for October30 Sep 2015 | 1:32 amWhat's your ideal romantic break? Star-gazing at inky Yorkshire skies from beneath a thick wool blanket? Wandering hand-in-hand through a sleepy Provençal hamlet? Or perhaps you want a beautiful beach on which to watch the perfect sunset, cocktail in hand? Whatever your style, our October round-up will have you head-over-heels. No need to thank us; all you have to do is book*. Secure your accommodation through i-escape, then follow our recommendations for travel, and voila! It's time to start packing. Swinton Bivouac, Yorkshire Dales – £175 per person (2 nights, 15-17 October) The 20,000-acre Swinton Park Estate is a wonderful back-to-nature destination that calls for long walks discovering...
Byteful Travel
The End?29 Sep 2015 | 6:09 pmToday marks the 1 year anniversary of my departure from the Big Island. How perfect it is, then, that I've decided to finally put this site out of its misery and begin migration of all valuable content over to myth.li. Nothing disappears, and in fact, nothing much will probably change this week, but for those of you who have followed along for the past 8 years, I thought I'd give you a heads up. Ironic. I name a site byteful, and it gets an 8 year run. Considering computer "bytes" have 8 bits, perhaps this is to some grand cosmic design. Or it could be a strange coincidence. More information over at today's MYTH.LI post. Oh, and don't worry, there will be more travel videos, just not here. So long, and...
Stunning San Francisco lights @ Twin Peaks Vista video20 Aug 2015 | 3:08 pmAnd we're back. I've been formulating some plans and planning some formulations lately, some of which are about this blog. I'm considering putting this blog on hiatus once I finish editing and uploading all of my Hawaii videos. What do you think? Would you miss this site? Serious question, because I'm finding myself drawn to simplifying my life. No doubt that you are aware that most of my focus is going toward MYTH.LI these days and the upcoming books in the Mythic Sci-Fi series. Anywho, if you have any thoughts about that, or today's video, please use the Facebook comments below, or you can contact me directly. Today's video is a little break from Hawaii. This one is all about Twin Peaks, an...
A Letter to my Friends around the World: What I've been Meaning to Tell You31 Jul 2015 | 3:39 pmToday's post is my 300th. To recognize that, I've written an open letter to all of you whom I know well but haven't spoken to in a while. I'm sorry if it's been a while since we talked. This article is dedicated to you. � � Aloha, again. I wanted you to know that I've been thinking about you. As you know, I've been blessed to live in many different places, invariably meeting fascinating people along the way. Sometimes we become fast friends, and sometimes the tree of friendship grows more slowly. In either case, I always treasured it, because it was beautiful. I've thought about emailing you to schedule a skype call, or simply calling you out of the blue, but for some reason the timing never felt right....
The Zig-Zaggy Bridge over Koi Pond @ Honolulu HNL Airport, Oahu video27 Jul 2015 | 12:00 amOnce upon a time, I came across a Japanese koi pond in the middle of an airport. Strung across the large koi pond was a bridge that zigged and zagged across in a most interesting way. And so, I zig-zagged with it! Of course, all of this was nestled conveniently inside the Honolulu Airport, and so I shot a short 33 second video to let you enjoy it too: Transcription Me: Follow the zig-zaggy path, my son! Past the koi pond! Zig! Zaaag! And that's how you zig-zag. For more: There's more where that came from! Be sure to check out the wealth of travel videos in the Travel Video page. Read related articles<ul> <li>Jumping off Ruins @ Coconut Island, Hilo, Big Island video </li> <li>Sudden Downpour @ Uncle Robert's,...</li></ul>
Exploring Akaka Falls & Magical Banyan Trees @ Honomu, Big Island Hawaii video30 Jun 2015 | 4:00 pmHere's a hot Hawaii minute-long video of a true gem that I've been excited to share with you for weeks: Akaka Falls. Easily in my top 3 favorite parks on the Big Island, Akaka Falls State Park is overflowing with lush banyan trees (with intricate roots that you can actually step inside), streams, and, of course, gorgeous waterfalls. The largest of these, Akaka Falls itself, is featured at the end of this short video. The entire place is remarkable, and when I went, it was only a dollar for non-residents to enter! Pretty good deal for my favorite waterfall on the entire island. Enjoy: For more: There's more where that came from! Be sure to check out the wealth of travel videos in the Travel Video...
Wayfaring Wanderer
Uplugged Adventures: Fall + Holiday Family Photos | Boone NC Photographer8 Oct 2015 | 2:03 pm"Unplugged Adventures" are for couples and families that are looking for a fun alternative to formal family photos. Instead, you want something that's focused on capturing natural photographs that showcase your familIes' unique dynamic. These sessions are exclusively for adventurous families and couples that enjoy spending time connecting in the great outdoors!If sitting in front of a camera and putting on a smile sounds downright dreadful. Don't worry, I won't hold it against you. It feels unnatural and weird to most of the folks I photograph. I can relate because, I, too, don't like being on the other side of the lens. That's why�I focus on helping you create new memories with an adventure...
Design Your Dream Wedding Planning Kit28 Aug 2015 | 1:40 pmSo you're engaged...now what?! You've announced it to all of your friends and family, officially changed your Facebook status, and had a huge party to celebrate with all your loved ones, but what comes next? Thinking about a budget and the guest list and the venue and the catering and the cake and the invitations is starting make your head spin, am I right?!DESIGN YOUR WEDDING DAY THE FREE-SPIRITED WAY!This wedding planner printable is for newly engaged couples and/or brides ready to begin planning their wedding day with ease. It's a guide to help make planning the perfect wedding less stressful and more awesome!"I just thought I'd gush a little about your planning checklist, our wedding is for July 2016...
10 Tips for First-Time Airbnb Renters16 Jul 2015 | 9:06 amWhen we set off to go on adventures, Cody and I always look for unconventional places to sleep while we're away from home. In the past, I've had experience using homeaway.com, hostels, campsites, and more to act as our temporary home base. While we've stayed many a nights in hotels and motels, it's just not our favorite type of lodging when we have other options available.I finally decided to give Airbnb a try for our Anniversary Adventure in Asheville, NC a couple weeks ago, and I learned a few tips and tricks for using Airbnb that I'll definitely keep in mind the next time we use the website to book cheap accommodations. I was thinking that my fellow adventurers would find these tips useful just...
Blue Ridge Mountain Engagement Photo Adventure on Tanawha Trail25 Jun 2015 | 7:43 amThe majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains captivate a lot of people and these two are no exception. Jess and Mike are both transplants that found their way to the High Country—and haven't wanted to leave—like so many other folks in this region that permanently relocate. This is where they've been building their lives together and it's where they plan to remain for many more years. It made perfect sense to select an engagement photo location that highlights what they love about living here. Jess and Mike don't have as much time to go on adventures as often as they would like because their home and work lives are so full, which is why we revisited one of their favorite hiking spots to photograph their...
A North Carolina Backyard Farm Wedding18 Jun 2015 | 10:52 amThey love to write and sing silly songs, they go for hikes in the mountains, they absolutely love to eat good food and drink good libations, and on their wedding day in Creston, NC, Katelyn and Seth managed to encapsulate the spirit of what makes their 9 year relationship so enduring and playful.While Seth is an avid hunter and fisherman that enjoys tying flies and making squirrel foot necklaces, Katelyn is a fashion-forward, Vogue addict that rocks out stilettos any chance she gets. You'd think that they were complete opposites, and in some respects they are, but there's no denying how perfect Katelyn and Seth are for one another.They were next door neighbors—separated by no more than a sliver of...
The Ryanair Experience7 Oct 2015 | 6:56 amI must have dozed off during take off. For a moment I was in a warm fuzzy place… on the inside at least. On the outside my mouth was hanging open as though I'd been kicked in the jaw by a horse. My slumbering bliss didn't last long as I was barged awake by a herd of wildebeest stampeding past me. Alarm bells went off in sandman land, something was wrong. People streamed past my seat, running in the direction of the exits. A few seats in front of us a woman blocked the aisle, making room for her man to escape first. Nice to see equality now also applies in a survival situation. What the hell was going on? What was going on was the seat belt sign had just gone off and the masses, who'd downed far too many...
Elegant Dining Beneath the Stars at Club Laurel on La Gomera6 Oct 2015 | 2:34 amBy day, the teal swimming pools, thatched roofs and creamy parasols of Club Laurel provide a Caribbean-esque environment where you can while away tanning hours, soaking up the default sunshine setting, with Italian dining and chilled cocktails a barefoot step away. By night they provide the romantic setting for sophisticated dining beneath a star studded sky with the gentle chords of an acoustic guitar supplemented by the cries of Shearwaters. Where is it? Club Laurel is the à la carte restaurant of Hotel Jardín Tecina on La Gomera and is also open to non residents. Situated at beach level, access from the hotel is via a lift built into the rock face and from the village of Playa Santiago by walking...
High Spirits in the Leutasch Gorge28 Sep 2015 | 4:49 amMany years have passed since I last climbed into a saddle, years that may have done nothing to diminish my ability to ride but have done a great deal to strip me of my self confidence, a factor that would inevitably take its toll before the day was done. The fertile Leutasch Valley which sits at the foot of the Wetterstein Mountains in the Austrian Tyrol is about as flat as you're going to find in Austria making it perfect for days of wheels and wanderings without too much sweat. This wasn't the first time I had actually been in a saddle since my teenage years, I had a short but memorable ride in the Pyrenees a couple of years ago as part of a brochure shoot for Inntravel. It's fair to say I was pretty...
Walking Through a Desert on Fuerteventura23 Sep 2015 | 4:31 amYears ago a friend took us on a walk near her boyfriend's house in North Yorkshire. It felt like we'd been walking for hours and yet all we could see, stretching for miles and miles, was a flat featureless landscape stretching out before us. Whilst the scenery had been quite bleakly dramatic initially, and there had been seals to coo over, walking through it for hours without it changing had stripped it of its charm. Mumbling, then grumbling and finally mutiny broke out in the ranks – the ranks being the three of us who weren't emotionally involved with anyone who lived in the area. "Is there no end to this?" One of us bitched. "Round the next corner," came the perky reply from our friend. The...
A Return to Walking Across Gran Canaria21 Sep 2015 | 10:02 amYou've got to love the Medio Ambiente (Dept of Environment) on Gran Canaria. Just over a year after we'd helped put together what was an absolutely cracker of a walking route across Gran Canaria with Inntravel, they erected a lot of new signposts with different names. Actually, I should thank them because it meant we had to return to the island to walk the whole route all over again. As it's such an enjoyable route, it was no hardship. Part of the problem you can find with walking routes on the Canary Islands is when new signposts are erected, they're often not in the same place as the posts they're replacing. That's confusing enough. A second issue is often the names are changed as well. Anyone who knows...
Gay Travel Information (and more)!
Loews Miami Beach Hotel9 Oct 2015 | 11:29 amLoews Miami Beach Hotel | 1601 Collins Ave | Miami Beach, FL 33139 | 1-877-563-9762 Miami is one of the world's most exciting destinations. A tropical paradise co-existing with world-class dining, renowned nightlife, vibrant arts and all things cutting edge. During my last visit I was lucky enough to stay at the extravagant, Loews Miami Beach Hotel,�… Continue reading →
Margaritaville Island Hotel – Pigeon Forge, TN2 Oct 2015 | 10:48 pmMargaritaville Island Hotel | 131 Island Dr | Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | 1-844-434-6787 I have been a HUGE Jimmy Buffett fan for over 20 years, so you can imagine my excitement when I found out that a new Margaritaville Hotel had opened up in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (a complete listing of Margaritaville hotels &�… Continue reading →
Four Seasons Hotel – Miami, FL1 Oct 2015 | 11:34 amFOUR SEASONS HOTEL MIAMI / 1435 BRICKELL AVE / MIAMI, FL 33131 / 1-305-358-3535 Four Seasons Hotel Miami is eloquently hip. It exudes class with a luxurious, modern vibe. Then again, what would you expect from the Four Seasons? My wife Jennifer and I had the pleasure of experiencing this spectacular hotel first hand this�… Continue reading →
Chatham Bars Inn – Cape Cod, MA1 Oct 2015 | 9:26 amChatham Bars Inn / 297 Shore Road / Chatham, Cape Cod, MA 02633 / 1-800-527-4884 Chatham Bars Inn is known as New England's finest oceanfront luxury resort & spa. It has been called "One of the top resorts in the world" by Conde Nast Traveler (Gold List). It has a 4 Diamond AAA Award�… Continue reading →
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel – Nashville, TN22 Sep 2015 | 11:25 amLoews Vanderbilt Hotel / 2100 West End Avenue / Nashville, TN 37203 / 1-800-336-3335 Nashville is truly music city. Right from its very beginnings, music has been the common thread connecting the life and soul of the city and its people. It is no wonder than that Nashville's Loews Vanderbilt Hotel's recent $17 million dollar�… Continue reading →
Fodor's Travel Wire
Food Lover's Guide to Basque Country8 Oct 2015 | 7:00 pmMadrid and Barcelona may wow the masses with world-class museums and iconic landmarks, but to tap into Spain's culinary nerve center, you must head north to the Basque Country, the green, hilly region that boasts the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, not to mention�some of Spain's most prestigious vineyards. Given the area's reputation, you might assume that the best Basque meals are exclusive events punctuated by luxurious amuse-bouches served on demitasse spoons. But as locals will tell you, Basque food isn't just for sybarites with deep pockets: From the laidback pintxos (Basque tapas) bars in San Sebasti�n, to the boisterous cider houses of Gipuzkoa, to the family-owned...
Halloween Country: Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, New York7 Oct 2015 | 4:45 pmBy Lisa Van Allen If there's one quintessential American ghost story, a good case could be made for Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Never mind how the original Headless Horseman story has morphed over the years from cute and spooky into occult and gory—as in Fox's series Sleepy Hollow. The story is as integral as any to Halloween, so there's no better place to celebrate the holiday than Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, New York, the towns where the legend takes place. A quick train ride brings visitors twenty-five miles outside of New York City, where this bustling suburban grid sits on the banks of the wide, blue Tappan Zee. Come autumn, the area's historic estates don their Devil's...
America's Best Pumpkin Festivals7 Oct 2015 | 3:00 pmFor some, the start of fall means that it's officially pumpkin spice latte season, but there are other ways to enjoy everyone's favorite gourd.�This time of the year, you can find pumpkins for sale everywhere from city markets to roadside stands, but why not make a day of it? Across the country, farms are celebrating the season with family-friendly festivals where you'll find all the pumpkins, freshly baked desserts, and hayrides you could ever wish for. Get ready to layer up, lace up your boots, and make a trip to one of Americas' best pumpkin festivals. By Zachary Laks
10 Most Haunted Bars in America6 Oct 2015 | 9:00 amThere are bars with unique clienteles all across the U.S., but some play host to some more interesting patrons than you'll find anywhere else:�ghosts, spirits, and shades. With Halloween approaching, what better way to experience a haunting night than by being surrounded with spirits of the alcoholic and ghostly varieties? Here we've collected ten�of our favorite and most colorful bars around the country that are reportedly haunted by some colorful characters. Pull up a bar�stool, grab a drink, and try not break into a cold sweat as you imbibe with the dearly departed. By Clint Lanier and Derek Hembree
What to Drink in Cape Town (Besides Wine)5 Oct 2015 | 3:00 pmThere's a pretty good chance that when you think of drinking in South Africa, your thoughts turn immediately to wine. Who could blame you: South African wine country—a fertile area located primarily around Cape Town—is not only visually spectacular, but is also quickly bolstering its winemaking reputation, which includes its own varietal, Pinotage. But try as he might, man cannot live on wine alone, and rich soil and terroir of South Africa refuses to be singularly defined. Here are some of the other drinks—alcoholic and non—that play a part in South African culture, plus where you can find them in Cape Town. Drink them in good health. Amarula There are images floating around the Internet of ostensibly...
Mallory On Travel
Villas.com #InstantParadise Travel Photography Competition24 Sep 2015 | 7:16 pmIainIainMallory Photography is the way we capture the special moments of our travels, and digital photography in particular has made this even more possible. The advances in camera technology means it is always possible to carry a very capable camera with us, making it even easier to capture those fleeting moments, so we never forget them. […] The post Villas.com #InstantParadise Travel Photography Competition appeared first on Mallory On Travel.MalloryOnTravel
Riding ebikes in Liguria, Italy1 Jul 2015 | 3:41 amIainIainMallory Guest Post by Alison Bailey When accepting the invitation to take part in an active trip to Liguria, Italy the stand out activity was the opportunity to ride some ebikes; I was curious. I'm now of a certain vintage where my mail consists of exotic cruises for the more mature and health care plans! However, slowing down […] The post Riding ebikes in Liguria, Italy appeared first on Mallory On Travel.MalloryOnTravel
Jordan; Beyond Petra in Pictures8 Jun 2015 | 5:36 amIainIainMallory Flying into Amman, Jordan the first emotion was 'at last'. Evocative images of the famed Treasury at Petra having stoked my imagination for many years, admittedly Indiana Jones had also played his part. Hopefully this would be a slightly less eventful visit, only slightly less though. Inspiration to travel is at our fingertips, magazines, television, […] The post Jordan; Beyond Petra in Pictures appeared first on Mallory On Travel.MalloryOnTravel
Fifty Shades of Grey in the English Lake District8 Mar 2015 | 3:35 pmIainIainMallory The English Lake District is a favourite part of the British Isles for many people, the rolling countryside, rugged fells dotted with attractive mountain tarns, picturesque villages and of course lakes. Regardless of the time of year, or conditions it has a special appeal, but parking up in Ambleside with a heavy drizzle falling it […] The post Fifty Shades of Grey in the English Lake District appeared first on Mallory On Travel.MalloryOnTravel
Hall Hills Cottages Review – English Lake District5 Mar 2015 | 2:55 pmIainIainMallory Taking the 40 minute drive along the quiet, snow lined country lanes from Keswick to the Hall Hills cottages, one thing became clear; the accommodation is secluded. Located near the town of Dalston among the less visited fells of the northern Lake District it is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the […] The post Hall Hills Cottages Review – English Lake District appeared first on Mallory On Travel.MalloryOnTravel
The Traveler's Way
Dharamsala : A Spiritual Destination in India21 Sep 2015 | 5:05 amNestled amidst the Himalayas, in the Kangra valley the little town, Dharamsala is home to the Tibetan leader Tenzin Gyatso His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Originally established as a resting place for pilgrims and trekkers, the town soon transformed into "little Lhasa" providing shelter to the Tibetan refugees who followed His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on his exile journey. The Tibetan immigrants established many monasteries, temples, schools and houses. The place is abuzz with Buddhist monks and nuns all extending a peaceful aura that is bound to calm your inner-self at the first glance. There aren't many tourist attractions that will keep you running all day, but this place emanates such warmth...
Guests in the Driver's Seat of Luxury Vehicles at 10 Properties Worldwide9 Sep 2015 | 5:06 amFollowing a successful test drive in 2014, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts shifts into the fast lane with the global launch of Waldorf Astoria Driving Experiences, now bookable for guests across North America, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates at 10 of the brand's 26 hotels and resorts. The package includes access to new Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, and Porsche model cars, tips from experienced racing professionals, and the opportunity to drive along beautiful pre-determined routes making for an unforgettable day on the road. Waldorf Astoria Driving Experiences provide guests with a premier supercar driving experience, including the thrill of driving a Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C, Porsche...
Walk in Frank Sinatra's Footsteps in Greater Palm Springs7 Sep 2015 | 5:45 amThe incomparable Frank Sinatra died on May 14, 1998, but the respect and admiration for his music, talent, and the "spirit of cool" he left behind remains. Sinatra would have turned 100 years old this December 12th. Sinatra called the Greater Palm Springs area "home" for nearly 50 years – from his arrival in the late 40s right up to his passing. Today, from his midcentury modern Palm Springs home and Rancho Mirage compound, to restaurants and landmarks throughout the desert, you can still glimpse of places owned and frequented by The Chairman of the Board. 10 not to be missed Palm Springs locations for Frank Sinatra fansClick to Share Here are a 10 not-to-be-missed spots for Sinatra fans...
Your Guide to the Dramatic Dalmatian Islands19 Aug 2015 | 5:39 amThey sit shimmering in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia, mostly unknown to American tourists. Island hopping around these undiscovered gems onboard a small ship cruise is discovering paradise, over and over again. Bustling marinas, medieval town squares, sapphire and turquoise beaches, boutique hotels, al fresco dining, and chic bars are all part of Croatia's Dalmatian coast and islands. I chose a water journey around the islands, but make no mistake…this was no ordinary cruise. My ship of choice was the Diontis of the Katarina Line, a traditionally-styled but modern boat with two-masts, holding a mere 25 passengers and 7 crew members. It was intimate, and it was a blast! Dubrovnik Our...
Cozumel Scuba Festival Adds Routes for Advanced Divers17 Aug 2015 | 5:48 amThe dates of Mexico's extraordinary dive event, Scuba Fest, have been announced. The Fourth Annual Cozumel Scuba Fest will be held December 8-13, 2015. While the Fest is geared for all levels of divers, including beginners, this year it features new products and routes focusing on advanced-level diving off the Mexican Caribbean Island of Cozumel, and also introduces special advanced diving tours on the Yucatan Peninsula. New at Cozumel Scuba Fest this year is the Route for Advanced Divers a group of nine dives for highly experienced and intrepid divers. It requires love of adventure as well as AOWD (Advanced Open Water Diver) Certification. This route visits reefs in the area north of Cozumel, the sunken...
The World on Wheels
A Monumental Journey Across Washington, D.C.9 Oct 2015 | 4:30 amTony Arceo shouldn't have even been there that summer morning between my 7th and 8th grade years. A young robber stole a rifle at a pawn shop in neighboring Baldwin Park. The clerk managed to set off a silent alarm and Officer Arceo, from El Monte Police Department, gathered with the other officers outside, responding to a request for help from another police department.The robber came out, guns blazing, hit Officer Arceo, who was immediately killed. Other officers returned fire, killing the suspect.Officer Arceo was the first police officer killed in the line of duty in the department's history. Today, there is a park named in his honor across the street from El Monte High School.Watch the Video!We're here...
Southern California's Hottest New Attraction - Huy Fong Foods...the Sriracha Factory Tour7 Oct 2015 | 4:30 amIt's Sriracha season again, let's go back and take the tour of the factory that makes the world's favorite hot sauce...In the middle of the San Gabriel Valley...mostly know for it's outstanding Asian cuisine, Santa Anita Racetrack, and the Rose Bowl and parade...sits the tiny community of Irwindale, population 1,422, made up�of mostly of members of five families.Irwindale is pock-marked by giant pits used to extract gravel for concrete. As these pits give out, the city is trying to transform them into industrial lots and other commercial uses. It famously made a deal with football's Raiders owner, Al Davis, to build a stadium in one of them but it fell through with Davis taking the city's $10 million good...
Capital Transitions - Riding the Rails to Washington, D.C.5 Oct 2015 | 4:30 amWhile we fell in love with the food at Supano's in Baltimore, it is a bit spendy with a final bill in the three figures for the three of us. I'd like to have one more meal there before we leave but it would push the budget.Not to worry, our new favorite Charm City restaurant has a nice happy hour where we can eat without feeling the pangs of poverty.A good size, delicious pizza is only $8 with liters of Natty Boh only $3. �Luckily, the hotel is only a hundred yards away and we can easily walk over to it to sleep off this pile of pizza and booze.Derek, the host we met our first night, sits with us as we chat. �We find out we both have media work to talk about...our blog, Tim's voiceover and announcing work,...
The Cocktail Hour - Amaretto Sour4 Oct 2015 | 4:30 amThis is the drink to make for that time you don't want a real strong drink.� Lighter in alcohol than drinks such as the�daquiri�or�margarita�that we featured.� Way less than the�Latin passion...this is a refreshing cocktail that will sit well on a hot day and won't knock you out if you have a couple.Watch the Video!Here is the recipe for two drinks:INGREDIENTS2 oz. - Amaretto1�oz. - Triple Sec4-5 oz. - Sweet and Sour mixsplash of marischino syruporange wedgeFill a cocktail shaker 1/3- 1/2 full of ice.� Put in amaretto and triple sec.� Fill to top with sweet and sour.� Add a dash of marischino syrup.� Shake and strain into old fashioned glass.� Add orange wedge as garnish.Cheers! ...
Game Day in Charm City2 Oct 2015 | 4:30 amWe've been told that the best crabcakes in Baltimore come from a stand at the Lexington Market. Letty's been on a mission to try as many as she can while we're here.Watch the Video!The Charm City Purple Route stops in front of our hotel on Redwood Street and it's a quick, easy, and free ride to a stop three blocks from the market.It's a bit of a downtrodden three blocks, very similar to walking through our hometown's (Los Angeles) Skid Row.� This is our second attempt, my wife got sick a couple of days ago and we had to postpone our visit but we're here now and ready to go.Faidley's Seafood is in the back of the market, allowing us to peruse all the other stands along the way. It really reminds me of how...
Memoirs of a Travel and Food Addict
23 best moments in travel1 Oct 2015 | 12:39 pm(CNN)Travel is a joy. We all know that. But sometimes being on the road transcends mere enjoyment. New finds. New friends. New favorites. You know — the stuff credit card ads are made of. Some of life's best moments happen only when you're on the road.
Teen Travel Talk
Tips for Papal Pilgrims in Philadelphia21 Sep 2015 | 9:21 pmThe World Meeting of Families will commence tomorrow in Philadelphia, and things in Philadelphia are about to get really wild. Why is that exactly? Well, on the 26th and 27th, Pope Francis will be in town. This much-loved Pope has been an outspoken critic of materialism, even among Church leadership, and has stood up for those oppressed in society, such as the homeless and single mothers. Hundreds of thousands are about to flock to Philadelphia to celebrate mass with the Pope and hear him speak. I thought it could be helpful if I gave some tips to those pilgrims and sojourners. <ol> <li> Be aware that traveling by car will be difficult. Many highways as well as the Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed even before...</li></ol>
Inspiration from Pinterest: Travel Gifts25 Aug 2015 | 6:49 pmPinterest: the website where I can spend hours and hours on, other than Tumblr. This month I figured I would feature a few of my favorite pins that have to do with my traveling obsession. Basically, it has to do when you aren't traveling but still want that feel. Maybe you want to decorate your room sharing all of your travel experiences, or selecting a gift for a lover of traveling the world, or maybe you like wearing something with maps. Let's begin. Map socks, anyone? These socks are pretty cool, if you get lost, you might be able to find your way with your socks. The link for these are here. For those hot summer days when you wish you were somewhere on a tropical beach, but you are really running...
Texas Knows How to Do Parks21 Aug 2015 | 4:32 pmA few weeks back I made a trip to the Dallas-Forth Worth area and I fell in love. The food, the shopping, the food, the food, the food. Yes, I ate a lot. I made some time in my trip to visit a really cool park, reminiscent of New York City's 1.45 mile High Line park, but definitely different. Let me explain. In the heart of Dallas, built over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway between Pearl and St. Paul, are over five acres worth of what's been described as "urban green space." Surrounded by food trucks and with plenty of space for frisbee and soccer players to share a field with tai chi groups, this park is bursting with excitement. Built into the park is a playground, restaurant, jogging trails, a pavilion,...
Touring Colleges 10114 Aug 2015 | 7:50 pmIt's getting near that time where you have to apply for colleges, do you know what school you want to go to? Have you ever visited the campus? Do you know what you want to major in? All of these major questions are surging but something that can help is visiting universities and colleges. Recently I had the opportunity to go on an east coast college trip where we toured 12 schools. These schools included University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Fordham, NYU, Columbia, Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern, Tufts, Harvard, and M.I.T. Each of these schools had an Informational Session where if you wanted to before the tour, you could ask questions to students that currently attend the school and ask...
New York on a High School Budget27 Jul 2015 | 10:03 pmNew York: The city that never sleeps. There is always something going on. Parties, events, shows, plays, concerts, etc. As a tourist, it's impossible to do everything in one trip. Much less do it on a student budget. Everything is so expensive! Here are my top 3 tips for doing New York on a budget. 1. Top of the Rock. There's no need to pay the $60 to go on the Empire State Building, when you can pay half ($30 for adults) to visit the Rockefeller Center. You get an amazing view and are able to see everything from Times Square, the teeny Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center, etc. You also get the best picture ever (of course you have to pay extra, but its so worth it). 2. Stay...
The Definitive Carry On Packing List: Infographic8 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amThe Definitive Carry On Packing List is one of the most accessed resources on our site. It's so popular, in fact, that we've made it into a handy, at-a-glance, infographic. Just for you. Be sure to check out our growing list of specific packing lists as well. Share the graphic below and tag your travel partners. Image: Kasia Serbin (Stocksnap) The Definitive Carry On Packing List: Infographic appeared first on Packsmith.
Does Your Backpack Fit? Use these GIFS!6 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amBackpacks are absolutely insane these days. A few years ago solar cell backpacks blew our minds. We could charge our phones while we hiked. I know. Next came backpacks that lit up at night to keep you safe while you cycled and backpacks fitted with megawatt speakers to keep your beach bash bumping. It was a simpler time. That Was Just The Beginning These days companies make backpacks that transform into mountain bikes—or even an entire inflatable kayak. Some backpacks have embedded personal servers for wifi on the go anywhere. Heck, there's even a backpack with freaking radar in it to let you see through walls and detect…stuff up to 150 miles away. Backpacks look more like Ghostbuster proton packs...
What's The Best Camera for Travel: DSLR or iPhone?1 Oct 2015 | 6:00 amAs our little group of hikers paused at a vista in the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, Jun, a Tokyoite who worked for Nikon, stood back from the group, crouching, then standing, then crouching again, to get the best shots with his massive DSLR camera. Then, he swung it around on his back and pulled out an iPhone to capture one last shot before moving on. "It's my back up," he said to me. "And actually, the iPhone camera quality is quite good. I heard one of the biggest updates on the iPhone 6 will be better night shots. They're putting a lot of effort into it." Immediately, my opinion on iPhone cameras changed. Although I loved (and still love) my Nikon DSLR, it's not always the easiest to travel with....
How A Travel Bag Changes Over Time29 Sep 2015 | 6:00 am"Nice bag. Is that the one you started off with?" Nope, that's not a pick-up line. Like most things that evolve — relationships, self-education, career — your travel bag also morphs. The outside forces of your trips, experiences, and learning more about yourself (and what you really, truly need vs. excess) creates forces on your bag to change it over time. My travel bag is no different. In the first part of this post, I revealed how my travel bag has transformed over the years I've been traveling. And, I showed what I used to pack before I figured out what I must pack versus what I think I must pack — two very different ideas. But my travel bag is not the only one that changes over time. I interviewed a...
The Evolution of the Modern Backpack24 Sep 2015 | 6:00 am"Man has been carrying stuff on his back forever. A backpack is nothing new." – Nena Kelty Backpacks are so useful, so sublimely functional, that most of us assume they've been around forever. We picture hunter gatherers with some kind of hybrid Jansport/papoose and it makes sense—a bag on your load bearing back is such an obvious idea that it doesn't even feel "invented." It must be ancient. Timeless even. But just like the Acheulean hand axe and the wheel, someone had to create and design the backpack. The only difference between backpacks and Stone Age tools is that backpacks are only about 130 years old. History Nerd Note: This is by no means a comprehensive look at all backpacks....
Panoramic Earth
New Comment on Giraffe Center in Nairobi (Nairobi)6 Oct 2015 | 1:23 amPeter Watts wrote: Thanks Klaus. Still using the Canon 5D MkII with Sigma 12-24mm lens. Would like to get a fixed focus, but can not afford at present!
New Comment on Giraffe Center in Nairobi (Nairobi)5 Oct 2015 | 5:47 pmklaus mayer wrote: Nice one! What are you shooting with these days?
Coastal Views near Tapanappa Lookout (Deep Creek CP)4 Oct 2015 | 7:31 pmCoastal Views near Tapanappa Lookout - Deep Creek CP visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Coastal Views near Tapanappa Lookout' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from South Australia.Panorama photographed by klaus mayer who wrote:Coastal views near the Tapanappa Lookout in the Deep Creek Conservation Park on the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Deep Creek CP is the largest remaining block of natural wildlife habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula with views of the Backstairs Passage and Kangaroo Island.
Elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Nairobi)1 Oct 2015 | 12:00 pmElephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - Nairobi visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Nairobi.Panorama photographed by Peter Watts who wrote:It is not only the general public that come to see the elephants and hear about the work here, school groups come along as well.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - Elephant Orphanage (Nairobi)1 Oct 2015 | 12:00 pmDavid Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - Elephant Orphanage - Nairobi visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - Elephant Orphanage' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Nairobi.Panorama photographed by Peter Watts who wrote:If you want to get up close to baby elephants, then the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage offers you that opportunity. Open to the public between 11am and noon, we gathered around the 'watering hole' as staff brought out the baby elephants (and occasional ostrich) which fed from giant milk bottles while one of the staff talked about the work of the project. Well worth visiting. This image was taken in September...
Disney Guide | Unofficial Disney World Guide | Disney World Unofficial Guide
Celebrate Halloween and Oktoberfest This Month in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort9 Oct 2015 | 3:00 pmOctober is all about seasonal celebrations in the restaurants, shops and entertainment venues of the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. Whether your taste runs to harvest, Halloween or "hoisting" a beverage for the occasion, the Downtown Disney District offers something for every age and every member of the family. <a class="zoom"title= "Celebrate Halloween and Oktoberfest This Month in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort" href="http://parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/media/disneyparks/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cpcadl58431.jpg"></a> Pumpkin is one of the predominant tastes of the season, and there is plenty to taste at locations throughout the Downtown Disney District: a pumpkin churro from the California Churro cart, a pumpkin macaroon from Kayla's Cakes, Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks and a pumpkin smoothie made with almond milk, pumpkin, bananas and a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg at Jamba...
#DisneyKids: New Disney Junior-Themed Walt Disney World Resort Offer9 Oct 2015 | 1:00 pmParents looking for the perfect opportunity to bring their little ones to Walt Disney World Resort won't want to miss the new bite-sized resort offer that includes a special Disney Junior Park Pack. And the early 2016 travel dates provide you the chance to surprise your kids at the holidays! Families who book the Disney Junior offer can enjoy a three-night, two-day room and ticket package starting at $874* for a family of three at Disney's All-Star Music Resort (valid for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights January 3-6, January 10-14, and January 18-Feburary 4, 2016). Guests can book this package through December 23, 2015. Ask about other great rates at select Disney Resort hotels for travel...
QUIZ: How Well Do You Know 'Tangled: The Musical'?9 Oct 2015 | 11:30 amSince April, we shared behind-the-scenes looks at the development of "Tangled: The Musical," the first-ever stage adaptation of the beloved animated film "Tangled." Before it premieres aboard the Disney Magic next month, we want to test your knowledge about the show. Only the most dedicated fans will have what it takes to ace this one … How Well Do You Know 'Tangled: The Musical'? How Well Do You Know 'Tangled: The Musical'? by mkilwein: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Glenn Slater wrote three brand-new songs for "Tangled: The Musical." Which of these is NOT a description of one of...
New ALEX AND ANI Wraps Debut for Fall at Disney Parks9 Oct 2015 | 10:00 amFall fashion is one thing I love, especially when it comes in the form of ALEX AND ANI! If you're curious as to what releases we have lined up this October at Disney Parks, wait no more! Here are all the details and a look at what you can expect to find. On October 12, add texture to your bangle set with new braided leather wraps available in cream leather with Rafaelian Gold Finish accents and black with Rafaelian Silver Finish accents. <a class="zoom"title="New ALEX AND ANI Wraps Debut for Fall at Disney Parks" href="http://parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/media/disneyparks/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ANAPW480681-613x613.jpg"></a> There is also the intricate Gift of Wisdom Wrap, which you will find in Rafaelian Gold, Rafaelian Silver and Rose Gold Finishes. My favorite part about these wraps is, of course, the Mickey Mouse shaped-head on the end of both sides! <a class="zoom"title="New ALEX AND ANI Wraps Debut for Fall at Disney Parks" href="http://parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/media/disneyparks/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dpcaaa48723.jpg"></a> Debuting October 19 is a nostalgic...
Go Behind the Scenes with 'We Love Disney' for a Limited Time at Disney's Hollywood Studios9 Oct 2015 | 8:00 amBeginning this weekend, guests at Disney's Hollywood Studios will have the chance to see what went into the production of the upcoming compilation album, "We Love Disney". A unique collaboration between Verve Records and Walt Disney Records, "We Love Disney" features interpretations of classic Disney songs by some of the hottest artists from the worlds of pop, rock, R&B and country. This film presentation, hosted in the park's ABC Sound Studio, includes interviews and behind the scenes footage with multi-platinum, Grammy® Award-winning producer David Foster and some of the world-renowned talents who have contributed to the album, from NE-YO and Ariana Grande to Fall Out Boy and Rascal Flatts. You...
Marion Travel Pictures
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WordPress.com News
Versatile Themes for Online Magazines9 Oct 2015 | 9:00 amLaunching a magazine? At WordPress.com, you can choose from an ever-growing collection of themes. Here are four free and four premium themes to promote a wide variety of content. Canard Launched earlier this year, Canard showcases writing and photography in a nicely balanced layout. You can display up to five posts in a grid on your homepage, and if you publish images and use post formats, you're in luck: image and gallery post formats are beautifully called out on the homepage. You can create up to four custom menus, too: perfect for directing your visitors to different places. This free theme lends sophistication to Sarah Ascha's food site, à la Susu: her featured dishes look delicious in...
Early Theme Adopters: Libre30 Sep 2015 | 9:00 amOut-of-the-box, Libre is an understated, reader-friendly theme that's already become a WordPress.com favorite. As movie review blog Empty Screens demonstrates, it's both crisp and classic: Head to the Customizer, though, and you can build on Libre's strong foundation to create a site that reflects your unique POV. Change up the fonts Fonts can be fun or serious, refined or homey — they add instant personality. Now that free Google fonts are available to any WordPress.com blogger, tailoring a theme with fonts is easier than ever. Novel Pitch opts for Oswald — whose simple lines keep things bold — and Merriweather, introducing serifs for a writerly touch. Jordan Quinn chose two serif fonts...
Field Notes: Tech Inclusion 201523 Sep 2015 | 9:00 amAutomatticians, the people who build WordPress.com, participate in events and projects around the world every day. Periodically, they report back on the exciting things they do when not in front of a computer. Earlier this month, Happiness Engineers Kathryn Presner and David Cole, Theme Wrangler Michelle Langston, and Community Organizer Jen Mylo attended the inaugural Tech Inclusion conference in San Francisco, CA. The event, which took place September 11-12, was created to explore solutions to the lack of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, and drew more than 500 attendees as well as hosting a career fair attended by hundreds more. Diversity in the tech industry has been headline news...
Two Deeply Personal Stories from WordPress.com This Week18 Sep 2015 | 8:00 am"At unexpected points in life, everyone gets waylaid by the colossal force of recollection." –Mary Karr, The Art of Memoir Every day, millions of people share their most intimate thoughts, stories, and memories on a WordPress.com site — and the results can be powerful. Here are two pieces I read this week and (highly!) recommend: "Seven Years Old, Stealth, and Scared" Those who follow our Editors' Picks on Freshly Pressed may recognize the work of gendermom, the blog of Marlo Mack (a pseudonym) who is navigating life in the United States as the mother of a transgender daughter, "M." Her latest post is honest, brave, and heartbreaking, about her daughter's nervousness in going back to...
New Theme: Sapor17 Sep 2015 | 8:00 amToday, I've got a great new theme for you called Sapor. Sapor is a minimal theme that lets you showcase your passion, whether it's cooking or gardening or healthy living. Whatever you enjoy, Sapor allows you to easily share that passion. This theme lets your content shine and adapts effortlessly to any device you view it on. I designed this theme with food blogging in mind, though it works for many different types of blogs. Sapor comes packed with features, including a site logo, social menu, custom header, custom background, and an optional sidebar. You can also select from among several free color palettes, which are included in this theme. Get to know Sapor in the Theme Showcase, or give it a spin...
Travelerfolio - Travel Blog Singapore
Western Australia: Swan Valley (Day 3)5 Oct 2015 | 9:28 pmWords & Photos by Kelly Khong Breakfast at Swan Valley can be a delightful event, when you visit Taylors Art & Coffee House. This family run café is passionate about food and living. Each Taylor is a talent! And they have decided to chip in their bests into running this quirky café – Design, Art, […]
Western Australia: Swan Valley (Day 2)18 Sep 2015 | 7:24 amWords & Photos by Kelly Khong Second day began with anticipation as our tour organizer Sascha Stones arranged for a Speed Grazing – An experience here in Swan Valley to discover a flavoursome adventure along 32km Food and Wine Trail. Riding on the Taste Bud Tour, we had visited 10 Swan Valley's most delightful tasting […]
Western Australia: Swan Valley (Day 1)3 Sep 2015 | 3:44 amWords & Photos by Kelly Khong Over the weekend, I was invited by Tourism Western Australia and The City of Swan for an extended long weekend of food, wine and master classes in the Swan Valley. With just close proximity of a half-hour drive from Perth's CBD, Swan Valley is an easy gateway to experience […]